"House Approves Budget Bill: Trump Calls It a ‘Major First Step’ for Mike Johnson"
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., following his speech at the 2025 Republican Issues Conference on January 27, 2025, at the Trump National Doral in Doral, Florida. |
Timeline:
9:06 a.m. EST, Feb. 26:
Trump praised the bill's passage, calling it a “Big First Step Win for Speaker Mike Johnson, and AMERICA” in a Truth Social post. He urged Congress to “start to BALANCE THE BUDGET” and emphasized that “IT CAN BE DONE!!!”
8:22 p.m., Feb. 25:
The House passed the bill with a 217-215 vote. Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote against it.
7:42 p.m., Feb. 25:
The House initiated the vote on the budget resolution.
2:15 p.m., Feb. 25:
The House cleared a procedural hurdle with a party-line vote to begin debate on the budget resolution, setting the stage for a final vote as soon as Tuesday night. However, several GOP lawmakers signaled they might vote against it.
12:30 p.m., Feb. 25:
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., announced that all Democrats would oppose the budget resolution, arguing it “represents the largest Medicaid cut in American history.”
11:00 a.m., Feb. 25:
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressed concerns about potential Medicaid cuts, suggesting that savings could come from "rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse," and ensuring that illegal immigrants who do not qualify are removed from the rolls.
11:00 a.m., Feb. 25:
Johnson indicated that the vote might be delayed due to opposition that could hinder its passage, noting that Republicans can only afford to lose one vote under their 218-215 majority. He added that the House would vote “as early as today,” and he was “very close” to securing support from the dissenters.
10:40 a.m., Feb. 25:
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, became the fourth Republican to oppose the bill, citing the need to prioritize legislation to prevent a government shutdown in mid-March, which is separate from the budget discussions.
Feb. 24:
At least three other Republicans—Massie, Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., and Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.—expressed opposition to the resolution, calling for more significant spending cuts. Some moderates also voiced concerns, particularly regarding the size of proposed Medicaid cuts.