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A major budget proposal, touted by former President Donald Trump as his “big, beautiful bill,” faced strong opposition on Friday. Five Republican representatives joined all Democrats in Congress to block the plan, demanding deeper spending cuts.

This surprising opposition dealt a setback to Trump’s key domestic goals. Although Trump has often pushed narrow votes through Congress, he could not gather enough support this time.

Trump Calls for Party Unity Amid Criticism

Trump publicly urged Republicans to back the bill. On his social platform, Truth Social, he wrote, “We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”

While the bill is not dead yet, the vote marks the administration’s first major legislative defeat this year.

GOP Divided Over Budget Cuts

Republicans remain split over the size and scope of spending reductions. Some conservatives want more severe cuts, especially to public health programs like Medicaid. Moderates worry about how deep cuts would affect vulnerable populations.

The five GOP members blocking the bill insisted on greater Medicaid cuts and want Speaker Mike Johnson to repeal tax breaks for green energy programs introduced by Democrats.

Texas Representative Chip Roy, one of the dissenters, said, “This bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits.”

Concerns Over Tax Breaks and Fairness

The bill proposes to extend Trump-era tax cuts and introduces a new rule keeping tips tax-free—a point Trump often emphasizes. However, critics say the plan favors wealthy individuals disproportionately.

Democrats have opposed the bill strongly. They warn that cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act could cause millions to lose access to affordable healthcare.

Pennsylvania Representative Brendan Boyle stated, “No previous law, no prior bill, no past crisis caused so many Americans to lose healthcare. Not even the Great Depression.”

Budget Impact and Deficit Concerns

The bipartisan Joint Tax Committee in Congress estimates that the extended tax breaks could add $3.72 trillion (around £2.8 trillion) to the federal deficit over the next decade.

This financial impact raises concerns about long-term fiscal health amid ongoing debates over government spending priorities.