Republican Hard-Liners’ Trump-Loving Districts Are Questioning Reconciliation Bill Delays

“Kendall County will be the most happy with the bill just passing,” a party official in Rep. Chip Roy’s district said.

Chip Roy Andy Harris
Rep. Chip Roy and House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Andy Harris have led the opposition to the reconciliation bill, calling for more conservative measures. Bill Clark/AP

As hard-line Republicans stage a rebellion in pursuit of an even more conservative reconciliation bill, signs of frustration are emerging in their own districts.

Many in the House Freedom Caucus spent Wednesday threatening to sink the bill as it went through the Rules Committee, calling for deeper cuts to spending. Rep. Andy Harris said Wednesday morning he was skeptical a deal could be reached this week. After a meeting at the White House, Republican leaders said they were still moving forward with the bill, reportedly claiming they would only make “minor changes.”

Last Friday, Reps. Josh Brecheen, Chip Roy, Andrew Clyde and Ralph Norman voted against allowing the bill out of the Budget Committee before eventually voting “present” over the weekend — showing a willingness to buck party leadership.