The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” championed by President Donald Trump, has sparked intense debate, narrowly passing the House in May 2025 with a 215-214 vote. However, not all Republicans supported this sweeping legislation, which blends tax cuts, border security funding, and cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Known as the Big Beautiful Bill, it faced opposition from a small but vocal group of Republicans who broke party lines. This article dives into the latest developments, focusing on which Republicans voted against Big Beautiful Bill and why, based on the most current information available as of June 29, 2025.
House Republicans Who Opposed the Bill
In the House, two Republicans stood firm against the Big Beautiful Bill: Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio. Their “no” votes on May 22, 2025, were notable, as the bill passed by a single vote. Massie, a known fiscal conservative, criticized the rushed process, arguing on social media that the bill’s significant changes deserved more than a few hours of review. He pointed to the bill’s projected $3.3 trillion deficit increase over a decade as a key concern. Davidson echoed this, stating that promising future spending cuts doesn’t address immediate fiscal issues. Additionally, Representative Andy Harris of Maryland, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, voted “present,” effectively withholding full support. Two others, David Schweikert of Arizona and Andrew Garbarino of New York, missed the vote, with Garbarino citing a timing issue despite intending to vote “yes.”
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Senate Republicans Against Big Beautiful Bill
In the Senate, the Big Beautiful Bill faced further resistance during a June 2025 vote to advance debate, passing 51-49. Three Republican senators—Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina—voted against moving the bill forward. Johnson, a fiscal hardliner, expressed alarm over the bill’s $4 trillion deficit impact, calling it unsustainable. Paul, a consistent opponent of debt increases, labeled the spending cuts “wimpy” and criticized the debt ceiling hike. Tillis’ stance surprised some, reflecting concerns over specific provisions like Medicaid cuts. These votes highlight ongoing GOP divisions as the bill heads toward a final Senate vote.
Key Point Summary
- House Vote: Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson voted “no”; Andy Harris voted “present.”
- Senate Vote: Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis opposed advancing the bill.
- Reasons: Fiscal concerns, rushed process, and opposition to Medicaid/SNAP cuts.
Why the Opposition Matters
The Republicans who voted against Big Beautiful Bill represent a broader tension within the GOP. Fiscal conservatives worry about ballooning deficits, while others fear political fallout from cutting safety-net programs. In the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority, losing just three votes could derail the bill. The opposition underscores the challenge of unifying a party with diverse priorities, from tax cuts to border security. As the Senate debates amendments, these dissenting voices could shape the bill’s final form or force a return to the House for another tight vote.
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