GOP rebels push for $2.5 trillion cuts in Trump budget bill during tense closed-door meeting

House Republicans are ramping up pressure on their leadership to secure at least $2.5 trillion in spending cuts as part of a sweeping legislative package aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.

During their closed-door meeting on Wednesday, GOP lawmakers discussed utilizing the budget reconciliation process, which allows fiscal policy changes to pass the Senate with a simple majority instead of the usual two-thirds vote. This procedural advantage, already in place in the House, enables the ruling party to push through significant spending reductions while bypassing Democratic opposition.

However, frustration within the GOP conference is mounting due to the absence of a finalized plan from party leadership. Sources told Fox News Digital that the meeting saw "heated exchanges," with conservatives demanding a firm strategy and deeper cuts than initially proposed.

"There’s a lot of frustration right now," one Republican lawmaker said. "They’ve tried to be inclusive, but not all members feel their concerns are being heard."

Adding to the urgency, Senate Republicans, growing impatient with the House, may introduce their own budget plan. House conservatives fear the Senate’s version will feature smaller spending cuts, diminishing their ability to push for more aggressive reductions.

"We’re worried about missing our opportunity. We’re more likely to push for cuts than they are," another GOP lawmaker stated.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced Wednesday that the Senate will proceed with its own budget measure next week, further increasing pressure on the House to act first.

Some House Republicans are also frustrated by delays in the reconciliation process. However, senior GOP aides countered these concerns, emphasizing that leadership had conducted numerous listening sessions, including discussions at the recent House GOP retreat in Miami, to craft a unified budget plan. They noted that 95% of House Republicans have participated in the process.

Despite these efforts, party leaders were forced to postpone a key House Budget Committee vote after initial proposals suggested cuts between $300 billion and $600 billion—far below what fiscal conservatives demanded. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) indicated Tuesday that the vote could take place next week but assured members that the goal of delivering a bill to Trump by May remains intact.

According to sources, House leadership is now considering a plan with a baseline of roughly $1.65 trillion in spending cuts. Some members also noted that additional provisions could generate another $1.65 trillion in economic growth.

Republicans are leveraging reconciliation to pass a broad array of Trump’s policies, including increased border security funding and tax cuts for tips and overtime wages. Trump has also emphasized that extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 is central to the process.

However, extending the TCJA tax cuts has sparked debate among fiscal conservatives, as estimates suggest doing so could add over $1 trillion to the federal deficit over a decade. To address these concerns, GOP leaders are considering a five-year extension instead of ten.

Key conservative lawmakers, including Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), are pushing for the full $2.5 trillion in spending cuts. Roy noted that this figure would translate to approximately $250 billion in annual savings over the next decade—a critical step in addressing the $36 trillion national debt.

Back in December, GOP leaders pledged to pursue $2.5 trillion in spending cuts to secure conservative support for legislation preventing a partial government shutdown. Now, those conservatives are holding them to that commitment.

"They promised $2.5 trillion in cuts—so deliver," Roy said.

Norman echoed this sentiment, stating multiple times this week that he wants spending reductions between $2 trillion and $3 trillion.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.