Speaker Mike Johnson couldn’t win over House Freedom Caucus conservatives to support the Senate’s budget framework, punting a floor vote to Thursday to buy time.
“We’re gonna try to move this tomorrow,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday after meeting with the “no” votes. “This has been a very constructive process we’re working through. We want all members to be not just comfortable with but happy about the final product.”
It was an embarassing blow to Johnson and House leadership who had projected confidence ahead of the vote. President Donald Trump has been pressuring members as well to support the bill that’s key to unlocking his agenda.