House Delays Budget Vote Amid Conservative Resistance, Speaker Johnson Optimistic for Thursday Passage

The House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on a budget resolution on Wednesday evening, but the vote was delayed due to resistance from several conservative members. These members were hesitant to accept the proposed blueprint, which aimed to advance President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities, including border security, defense, energy initiatives, and the extension of expiring tax cuts. Despite pressure from the former president, the vote was postponed, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announcing that the House Republicans would make another attempt on Thursday.

The budget blueprint, previously adopted by the Senate, includes a requirement for at least $4 billion in spending cuts. This provision has been a point of contention among fiscal conservatives in the House, who have been seeking assurances for even deeper cuts before lending their support. The delay in the vote highlights the ongoing negotiations and challenges within the Republican Party as they work to align on fiscal policies and priorities.

On Thursday morning, Speaker Johnson expressed optimism, stating that they now “believe they have the votes” to pass the budget resolution. This development came after efforts to address the concerns of the conservative faction within the party. Johnson’s confidence was evident as he appeared at a news conference alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, to discuss the upcoming vote.

The outcome of the vote is crucial for advancing President Trump’s legislative agenda, as the budget resolution serves as a foundational step in implementing his proposed policies. The resolution’s passage would pave the way for further legislative action on key issues such as border security and tax policy. As the House prepares for the vote, the focus remains on achieving consensus within the party to move forward with the administration’s priorities.