'Rebellion' erupts as House GOP faces 'showdown' with Senate Republicans

08 April

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) looks on, after President Donald Trump delivered remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is struggling to gain the confidence of his House Republican conference as he confronts colleagues in the Senate to navigate one of the most challenging pieces of legislation — a budget resolution to pave the way for the implementation of President Donald Trump's agenda.

Passed by the Senate last week, the framework details Trump’s legislative agenda of tax cuts, border funding and energy policy.

A report published by Punchbowl Tuesday said Johnson has failed to get the support he needs and it is uncertain if he will be able to secure enough votes to pass the budget resolution this week.

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The legislation gives Senate Republicans excessive power, allowing them to cut hundreds of billions more than the House GOP is requesting.

"Speaker Mike Johnson has a rebellion on his hands. And this is supposed to be the easy part of passing President Donald Trump’s agenda," the Punchbowl report said.

"Johnson wants House Republicans to trust him to win a showdown with Senate Republicans. That’s a huge ask," it added.

House GOP leadership estimates reportedly indicate there could be as many as twelve dissenting votes. Johnson can only afford to lose three Republicans on this strictly party-line vote.

This discontent is said to be emerging from unexpected factions within the GOP conference. Members of the Budget Committee — including its chair, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) — as well as traditional leadership allies are expressing their inability to support the compromise resolution passed by the Senate on Saturday.

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According to The Hill , Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), who are members of the House Budget Committee, told GOP lawmakers during a call Sunday afternoon that they will oppose the budget resolution. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) echoed the sentiment, calling the framework “junk.”

The House must approve the resolution in its current form, or it will need to return to the Senate for further discussion, which would also involve another vote-a-rama.

Leaders of the Republican Party in both the House and Senate, along with the White House, have made it clear that they do not intend to make any changes to this resolution.

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