Internal dissent is threatening to derail the Republican budget bill as conservatives like Texas Rep. Keith Self reject what they call a “bloated” compromise that betrays key fiscal promises.
At a Glance
- Rep. Keith Self opposes GOP budget bill for falling short on $2T spending cut pledge
- Bill extends Trump-era tax cuts and includes $1.5T in cuts—too little for fiscal hawks
- House Freedom Caucus demands deeper Medicaid reforms and end to green subsidies
- GOP’s slim majority makes every defection critical for the bill’s survival
- Trump’s legislative agenda could stall amid intra-party resistance
Self to GOP: “This Isn’t What We Promised”
Texas Congressman Keith Self has declared his opposition to the Republican budget bill, citing unmet commitments on fiscal cuts and disapproval of Biden-era green subsidies embedded in the package. The bill preserves large sections of the Inflation Reduction Act and includes only $1.5 trillion in spending reductions—short of the $2 trillion Self and others campaigned on.
“The big picture was $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in offsets,” Self said. “This falls short.”
Watch a report: House GOP advances Trump-backed spending bill
Freedom Caucus Demands More
Members of the House Freedom Caucus are applying maximum pressure. They’ve pushed for significant Medicaid reductions—focused on able-bodied adults—and demanded the repeal of remaining green energy incentives. The group is also calling for adjustments to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction and faster implementation of work requirements.
Self clarified he’s not anti-Trump, but insists fiscal restraint must supersede short-term political convenience. “President Trump campaigned on it. I campaigned on it. A lot of Republicans did,” he reminded critics.
Tweet: Self’s no-vote could block GOP’s own budget
Legislative Stakes Are High
With only a thin GOP margin in the House, even a small bloc of dissenters can force revisions or sink the legislation entirely. The bill is central to Trump’s domestic agenda: it pairs tax cuts with a $4 trillion debt ceiling increase and border security enhancements. But Self argues that without tougher fiscal measures, the bill is little more than a political showpiece.
Trump’s team has signaled urgency, but internal fractures could stall or derail momentum entirely. The broader Republican civil war over spending priorities threatens to define the legislative landscape heading into 2026.
Whether the GOP can bridge its ideological divides may decide not only the fate of this bill—but also Trump’s credibility as a fiscal conservative in his second term.
