Two GOP Reps Defy Trump on Megabill Amid Debt Concerns and Medicaid Concerns

House Republicans have passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package—the so-called ‘big, beautiful bill’—with just two GOP members voting against it, as the proposal now moves to the president’s desk. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) were the only Republicans to cast ‘no’ votes, with both citing concerns over the bill’s financial and social implications. The bill, which totals $3.3 trillion in domestic and defense spending, faces growing scrutiny over its potential impact on the U.S. debt and its provisions for Medicaid reforms, particularly after Senate amendments sparked a backlash from some conservative lawmakers. While Trump himself did not directly target Massie with a primary challenge, his rhetoric and political pressure remain a central factor in the bill’s passage, as the House GOP appears to have succeeded in securing the necessary support despite internal discord. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick, whose district in Pennsylvania is home to a significant elderly population, raised concerns about the changes to Medicaid in the Senate version of the bill, which he claimed fell short of protecting his constituents. His comments reflected a growing divide among House Republicans, with some lawmakers remaining critical of the bill’s scope and its potential long-term effects on public programs and federal spending. Despite these objections, the House majority appears to have unified behind the package, ensuring its movement to the Oval Office. The passage of the bill underscores the intense political dynamics at play in Congress, as the Trump administration faces both internal and external challenges in pushing through its agenda. While the final vote signaled a rare moment of consensus among the House GOP, concerns over fiscal responsibility and the impact of the bill’s provisions remain central to the debate over its implementation.