Conservative hardliners, who have played a significant role in shaping the Republican agenda, seem poised to back a substantial legislative package following an intense campaign led by President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
After a Wednesday afternoon meeting with Trump at the White House and subsequent discussions at Capitol Hill, members of the far-right Freedom Caucus signaled they are likely to support the package, provided that the list of changes promised by the White House is included in the final draft.
“I think we’re moving toward a positive outcome because we feel more aligned now,” said Rep. Eric Burrison (R-Mo.) after his discussions with Freedom Caucus members in the Longworth office building.
“We’re in the final stages of fine-tuning things,” reiterated Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.). “We’re definitely refining the most significant legislation that has passed through this body.”
This renewed excitement from the hardliners appears to be fueled by the assurances given by Trump and Johnson during their White House meeting. These assurances include plans for more executive orders to address budget concerns that conservatives struggle to secure through legislative means. The specifics of these changes are still under wraps.
After meeting with Trump, Johnson hinted at his approach.
“We’ll see how everything resolves, but I believe we can address their concerns. It likely involves several factors, including work from the President and Congress,” he stated. “In the near future, we might see executive orders on some of these matters. This is a promise the President has made.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a former Freedom Caucus president, has expressed support for the package. However, he’s currently running for governor of Arizona, a campaign that would benefit from Trump’s endorsement.
“We have a contract here, and we’re taking a comprehensive approach,” he mentioned after the Freedom Caucus meeting. “It was a productive session. We made progress, and we really need to keep at it. We’re going to resolve this.”
The conservatives’ newfound willingness to support the package stands in contrast to the backlash they expressed earlier on Tuesday. They were frustrated over perceived neglect of their calls for cuts to Medicaid and a reduction in green energy subsidies, even after Trump’s visit to the Capitol.
However, following the second meeting with Trump and Johnson on Wednesday, the earlier sharp criticisms faded into cautious optimism. Some suggested that support for the package might materialize quickly.
“It was a more constructive conversation than we had on Tuesday, and the President carries a lot of weight,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who didn’t attend the White House meeting but was briefed about it.
Norman cautioned that things could change, emphasizing that conservatives want to see the legislative text with the proposed adjustments before fully committing their support.
“Just one word can completely shift this scenario,” Norman reflected. “So, let’s wait and see.”
Johnson assured that he plans to present the bill for a vote late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
“I think people will be surprised. The fundamental elements are well-structured, so there won’t be many changes,” Johnson said. “We’ll proceed through the rules and determine whether the vote happens tonight or tomorrow morning.”
“We’re feeling optimistic,” he added. “We believe we can make this happen.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was even more straightforward, asserting that he plans to vote that night.
However, securing conservative support doesn’t guarantee that the final bill will find favor on the House floor. The concessions made to please the hardliners have also sparked concerns among moderate Republicans.
Much of the criticism from centrist lawmakers has centered on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, an issue that seemed to have been addressed on Tuesday night. Still, moderates have reservations about cuts to green energy subsidies and deeper Medicaid reductions.
Post-White House meeting, as Freedom Caucus members gathered separately, several centrist GOP lawmakers convened with Johnson in his office to discuss the proposed changes. Some felt uneasy.
“They shared their thoughts, and I told them they needed to consider this energy aspect and rethink some of their proposed changes,” Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) said after leaving the meeting. “I’ll be waiting to see how the managerial adjustments unfold.”
