President Trump urged Republican holdouts overnight to vote to advance his massive policy legislation, asking what they’re “trying to prove” by withholding support.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform shortly after midnight Thursday.
“What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove???” he continued. “MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
A half hour later, the president added: “FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!”
The rule on what could be a legacy-defining piece of legislation for Trump finally advanced in the lower chamber after 3 a.m. EDT. Heading into the vote, conservatives had warned that they would sink the procedural measure unless it was delayed beyond Wednesday.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called their bluff, held the vote open for more than five hours and then adopted the rule after winning enough support — an effort that got a big boost from Trump, who spoke with some of the holdouts during the long, midnight impasse.
Leadership initially called the vote on the rule minutes after the president pressured Republicans to move the megabill forward Wednesday night.
“It looks like the House is ready to vote tonight. We had GREAT conversations all day, and the Republican House Majority is UNITED, for the Good of our Country, delivering the Biggest Tax Cuts in History and MASSIVE Growth,” Trump wrote shortly after 9 p.m.
“Let’s go Republicans, and everyone else — MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added.
After more than five hours, all eight Republicans who initially hadn’t voted either way ended up voting for the rule, and four Republicans flipped their votes.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) — one of three House Republicans whose districts voted for Vice President Harris in 2024 — was the sole remaining “no” vote on the rule.
Final passage on the legislation is expected at 8 or 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, according to Johnson.