House Republicans Salvage Trump-Backed Budget Framework After Near-Defeat
A dramatic sequence of events unfolded on Capitol Hill Tuesday night as House Republican leaders narrowly averted a potentially crippling defeat on a crucial budget resolution intended to pave the way for President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. Initially poised to call off a vote due to significant internal opposition, GOP leaders executed a stunning reversal, ultimately securing passage of the resolution by a razor-thin margin of 217 to 215, with only one Republican dissenting.
The near-failure underscored the challenges faced by Republican leadership in navigating a deeply divided caucus and highlighted the continued influence of former President Trump in shaping policy outcomes. Hours before the vote, several Republican lawmakers – Representatives Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky – had publicly signaled their intention to oppose the bill, creating a seemingly insurmountable obstacle for party leaders.
The resolution, viewed as a crucial framework for a larger legislative package advancing Trump’s priorities, teetered on the brink of collapse. However, behind-the-scenes efforts, particularly those attributed to Trump himself, appear to have played a decisive role in swaying reluctant Republicans and securing the necessary votes for passage.
Sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that Trump engaged in extensive phone conversations with both Burchett and Spartz on Tuesday, directly addressing their concerns and attempting to win their support. Burchett confirmed the interaction, telling Fox News Digital on Wednesday that Trump had "answered my questions" and that he found the former president to be "very persuasive."
According to one source, Trump spoke with Burchett for approximately 15 to 20 minutes on Tuesday afternoon in what was described as a cordial discussion. Spartz, meanwhile, was observed on the phone in the House Chamber during an earlier, unrelated vote, fueling speculation about ongoing negotiations. Another source indicated that Spartz had specifically requested to speak with Trump before committing her support to the bill, ultimately engaging in two separate phone calls with the former president.
While Spartz declined to comment on the specifics of her conversations with Trump, she vehemently denied a report by Puck News alleging that the president had "screamed at her" over the phone, dismissing the claim as a "complete lie."
In addition to Trump’s direct engagement, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota was also credited with playing a key role in persuading Spartz to support the resolution. One source described a highly charged atmosphere on the House floor as Republican leaders focused their efforts on Spartz for nearly an hour. "Tom was really able to reassure Victoria that everything was OK. People weren’t mad at her. He just knows what to say," the source stated.
The lead-up to the vote was marked by procedural complications and growing frustration among lawmakers. An earlier, unrelated vote was held open for 45 minutes beyond its scheduled 15-minute window, and a vote intended to be third in the series was moved up to second, further disrupting the legislative schedule.
Adding to the drama, three Democratic representatives – Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, Kevin Mullin of California, and Frederica Wilson of Florida – returned to the House Chamber after earlier absences, albeit with varying degrees of physical limitations. Pettersen brought her newborn infant, Mullin used a walker following knee surgery, and Wilson, who had already returned for earlier votes, remained present. These returns intensified the pressure on Republicans, who realized they could only afford to lose one GOP vote and still pass the bill.
Despite the mounting pressure and internal divisions, Spartz ultimately signaled her willingness to support the resolution, informing House Republican leaders that she would vote in favor if it were brought up for a vote the following day. However, rather than delaying the vote, GOP leaders opted for a last-minute maneuver, recalling lawmakers to the House floor in a surprise move.
The decision angered Democratic leaders, who accused Republicans of attempting to "jam through their Budget Resolution" after assurances that no further votes would be held that evening. The Democrats quickly alerted their caucus, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle rushed back to the House Chamber.
Ultimately, Burchett and Spartz both voted in favor of the resolution. Davidson, who also voted yes, attributed his decision to assurances from House GOP leaders regarding the March 14 government-funding deadline. "I voted ultimately… once I received the assurances I need that there would be actual cuts to discretionary spending. And, you know, everything about this is avoided," Davidson explained.
However, a Republican lawmaker speaking to Fox News Digital credited Trump’s influence over Burchett and Spartz as the key factor in rescuing the bill. A White House official echoed this sentiment, stating that the resolution had been "on life support" until Trump intervened.
"As a master dealmaker, President Trump is always active in negotiations on Capitol Hill, and the budget bill was on life support until President Trump urged Members of Congress to pass it," the White House official said. "The House and Senate must ensure that the final product encompasses all of the president’s priorities, but the budget passed this week was an extremely positive step towards one big, beautiful bill that puts America First."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s office referred Fox News Digital to his post-vote comments, where he emphasized the significance of the resolution as the "first important step in opening up the reconciliation process." He added, "We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we are going to deliver the America First agenda. We’re going to deliver all of it, not just parts of it. And this is the first step in that process."
The near-defeat and subsequent resurrection of the budget resolution highlight the precarious nature of Republican control in the House and the enduring influence of Donald Trump in shaping the party’s agenda. The events underscore the challenges facing Republican leaders as they attempt to navigate internal divisions and advance a cohesive legislative agenda. The success, while narrow, provides a temporary boost to their efforts and demonstrates the potential impact of Trump’s involvement in critical legislative battles. Whether this victory translates into further progress on the "America First" agenda remains to be seen, but the episode serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in governing with a slim majority and a powerful, influential former president still in the mix.
