Two Republican lawmakers from Greater Cincinnati broke ranks with their party this week, voting against what US President Donald Trump has dubbed the " One Big Beautiful Bill Act ".
The bill is a sweeping House proposal aimed at reforming taxes, immigration, and federal benefits, reports the Enquirer.
The bill narrowly passed the House on Thursday with a 215-214 vote after a long debate. All Democrats opposed it, along with two Republican representatives: Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio.
Despite heavy pressure from the GOP, including a personal push from Trump himself urging Republicans to back the bill, Massie and Davidson held their ground. Their votes stood out because Republicans could only afford to lose three votes for the bill to pass.
'Deficits do matter'
In a social media post, Davidson explained his decision to vote against his party's bill: “While I love many things in the bill, promising someone else will cut spending in the future does not cut spending. Deficits do matter and this bill grows them now.”
Massie, the representative from Northern Kentucky, agreed with Davidson and voiced his own concern on X: “If we were serious, we’d be cutting spending now, instead of promising to cut spending years from now.”
Massie also called the “Big Beautiful Bill” a ticking debt bomb.
Massie had already voiced opposition before the vote, warning that the bill would majorly increase federal debt. On Instagram, he said the proposal would “add $20 trillion of federal debt over 10 years.” Independent analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates a smaller figure of around $3.3 trillion over a decade.
Trump lashes out
Massie’s stance has drawn criticism directly from the Oval Office. Trump, who has been pushing the bill as a key legislative win in his second term, has labelled the Kentucky lawmaker a “grandstander” and said he “should be voted out of office.” Trump has also threatened to support a primary challenge against him.
Despite the backlash, Massie has remained firm. His “no” vote did not come as a surprise to observers familiar with his record as a fiscal conservative.
What’s in the bill?
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation of Trump’s second term. It includes:
The bill now heads to the Senate, where leaders have signalled they intend to make changes. If revisions are made, both chambers will need to agree on a final version before it reaches Trump’s desk for signing.
Other Republicans break ranks
While Massie and David son were the only GOP members to vote "no," three other Republicans did not fully support the bill. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, voted “present,” a move that signalled disapproval without formally voting against it. Two others, Reps. David Schweikert of Arizona and Andrew Gabarino of New York missed the vote entirely.
The bill is a sweeping House proposal aimed at reforming taxes, immigration, and federal benefits, reports the Enquirer.
The bill narrowly passed the House on Thursday with a 215-214 vote after a long debate. All Democrats opposed it, along with two Republican representatives: Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio.
Despite heavy pressure from the GOP, including a personal push from Trump himself urging Republicans to back the bill, Massie and Davidson held their ground. Their votes stood out because Republicans could only afford to lose three votes for the bill to pass.
'Deficits do matter'
In a social media post, Davidson explained his decision to vote against his party's bill: “While I love many things in the bill, promising someone else will cut spending in the future does not cut spending. Deficits do matter and this bill grows them now.”
While I love many things in the bill, promising someone else will cut spending in the future does not cut spending. Deficits do matter and this bill grows them now. The only Congress we can control is the one we’re in. Consequently, I cannot support this big deficit plan. NO. pic.twitter.com/ClnqUzQyOk
— Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 (@WarrenDavidson) May 22, 2025
Massie, the representative from Northern Kentucky, agreed with Davidson and voiced his own concern on X: “If we were serious, we’d be cutting spending now, instead of promising to cut spending years from now.”
Massie also called the “Big Beautiful Bill” a ticking debt bomb.
I’d love to stand here and tell the American people “we can cut your taxes and increase spending and everything will be fine.”
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 22, 2025
But I can’t because I’m here to deliver a dose of reality about the ticking debt bomb known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” pic.twitter.com/eLT5GwNj11
Massie had already voiced opposition before the vote, warning that the bill would majorly increase federal debt. On Instagram, he said the proposal would “add $20 trillion of federal debt over 10 years.” Independent analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates a smaller figure of around $3.3 trillion over a decade.
Trump lashes out
Massie’s stance has drawn criticism directly from the Oval Office. Trump, who has been pushing the bill as a key legislative win in his second term, has labelled the Kentucky lawmaker a “grandstander” and said he “should be voted out of office.” Trump has also threatened to support a primary challenge against him.
Despite the backlash, Massie has remained firm. His “no” vote did not come as a surprise to observers familiar with his record as a fiscal conservative.
What’s in the bill?
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation of Trump’s second term. It includes:
- Eliminating taxes on workers' tips and overtime
- Making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent
- Adding work requirements for adults on Medicaid expansion
- Allocating over $140 billion toward immigration enforcement, including funding for the border wall
The bill now heads to the Senate, where leaders have signalled they intend to make changes. If revisions are made, both chambers will need to agree on a final version before it reaches Trump’s desk for signing.
🚨 HUGE WIN for America! The Big Beautiful Bill has officially PASSED! 🇺🇸
— PiolyUpdates (@PiolyUpdate) May 22, 2025
This is a turning point — lower taxes, stronger borders, energy dominance, and restored freedoms. We are stepping into a NEW era of prosperity and pride.
Welcome to America’s Golden Age. pic.twitter.com/kG9kxUV1Dl
Other Republicans break ranks
While Massie and David son were the only GOP members to vote "no," three other Republicans did not fully support the bill. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, voted “present,” a move that signalled disapproval without formally voting against it. Two others, Reps. David Schweikert of Arizona and Andrew Gabarino of New York missed the vote entirely.
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