US President Donald Trump's efforts to pass a major $4.5 trillion tax and spending bill are now facing obstacles as a group of Republican members of Congress have begun to express open opposition to the policy.
The bill, called the "One Big Beautiful Bill," passed the Senate by a one-vote margin, but is currently stalled in the House of Representatives as Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to secure enough support to proceed with a final procedural vote.
The 887-page bill includes many of Trump's key policies, including increased military spending, large-scale deportations, and an extension of tax cuts enacted during his first term.
However, fiscal analysts expect the measure to add $3.4 trillion to the national deficit in a decade, while also marking the largest cut to the Medicaid health insurance program.
An estimated 17 million beneficiaries could lose access to health coverage, while hospitals in rural areas are at risk of closing.
The Republican Party is increasingly divided as conservatives express concern over rising debt, while moderates worry about the social and political impact of sweeping cuts to healthcare.
President Trump has reportedly used a variety of pressure tactics, including closed-door meetings with skeptical lawmakers and posts on the Truth Social platform urging passage of the bill before July 4th.
“MAGA is not happy, and this will cost you your vote!” he said on Truth Social.
