The House Budget Committee faced a significant setback on Friday when a pivotal vote to advance the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' designed to encapsulate President Trump’s legislative agenda, ended in a 16-21 defeat.

This outcome complicates efforts to send the legislation to the Senate by Memorial Day, with ongoing concerns from both fiscal conservatives and moderate Republicans regarding last-minute amendments.

Five Republican members voted against the motion: Chip Roy (R-Texas), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.).

The committee's dynamics were further complicated when Smucker shifted his vote from yes to no for procedural reasons, aiming to preserve the opportunity for future reconsideration of the motion.

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) responded to the vote by calling a recess, informing members that he did not anticipate a resumption of the committee's work on that day.

He emphasized that discussions on the bill would continue, expressing optimism that outstanding issues could be resolved in time for a possible vote on Monday.

Negotiations occurred during the markup involving House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), but reports indicate that progress was insufficient to sway the dissenting members.

Roy, one of the dissenters, expressed concerns that the bill “falls profoundly short” regarding deficit management, while Norman expressed dissatisfaction with the current form, stating he remained firmly opposed until more substantial changes were made.

The proposed bill incorporates extensions of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts in combination with substantial cuts to entitlement programs and food assistance, aiming to save approximately $1.5 trillion over a decade.

Proposed reforms include imposing stricter work requirements for able-bodied adults under Medicaid and repealing green energy tax credits established by Democrats in 2022.

In the lead-up to the critical vote, the House debates included discussions on moderating concerns, particularly regarding the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, set at $30,000 in the current legislation.

Moderates are advocating for an increase to this cap; however, fiscal hawks are pushing for corresponding savings adjustments to maintain fiscal discipline.

Negotiations have indicated that conservatives demand assurances concerning the implementation timelines for proposed reforms, particularly in Medicaid and the rollback of green energy tax credits.

Norman emphasized the need for these commitments to be documented, citing financial significance and accountability.

Scalise confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration to finalize timelines for the legislation’s various provisions, noting that expediting reforms remains a central priority for many Republicans.

In a demonstration of party unity, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) made a notable appearance at the markup session shortly after the birth of his second child, indicating his commitment to supporting the president’s agenda.

Moreover, in a related move, President Trump utilized social media to urge Republican unity, criticizing holdouts for what he termed 'grandstanding' and calling for decisive action to move the bill forward.

Overall, despite significant legislative efforts, the path to advancing the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' remains uncertain amid a backdrop of deep divisions within the party regarding fiscal responsibility and policy priorities.