House GOP Masters Art of Passing Money They Don’t Have, Again
KEY POINTS
- •On July 21, House Republicans narrowly passed a $95 billion budget framework to start reconciliation 3.0.
- •Two Republicans, Massie and Davidson, plus independent Kiley joined all Democrats opposing the measure.
- •Senate Republicans plan to use the bill as a backup to prevent a government shutdown in late September.
On Wednesday, House Republicans kicked off reconciliation 3.0, narrowly passing a $95 billion budget framework with the political grace of a cat walking on a piano. The measure squeaked through 216-214, with libertarian purists Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), and switch-hitter Kevin Kiley (Calif.) voting no. The shopping list includes a $73 billion emergency Iran war fund—because inflation isn’t enough stress—a moderate $12 billion nod to farm aid, and a $10 billion carrot dangling to bribe states into embracing voter ID rules from the lukewarm 'SAVE America Act.' GOP love for sticks over carrots was voiced by Randy Fine (R-Fla.), who dismissed grants as freebies for Florida and suggested states will ignore the handouts because apparently incentive and taxation are about equally terrifying. Senate Republicans, led by John Thune (R-S.D.), are treating the package like a garage sale hidden behind the old lawnmower: a backup plan to dodge a government shutdown in September. This budget drama is clearly less 'Avengers Assemble' and more 'The Office' budget meeting—with Donald Trump firing up pleads on Truth Social like he’s hosting a fundraiser for invisible friends.
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(1 of 3)House GOP’s $95B magician act: pull a war fund, farm aid, and election bribe out of thin air—hope Senate says abracadabra out. Meanwhile, three Republicans play party poopers and conservatives complain carrots won’t cut it.
Passing a bill by 216-214 is less politics and more group text where half the squad leaves the chat mid-conversation.
Only two Republicans said no to $95B but all Democrats said no? Sounds like a cheered-on game of political hot potato.
Source: Axios | Published: 7/22/2026 | Author: Kate Santaliz
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