Republicans defend budget legislation as economic plan to make life more affordable amid fierce partisan battle over social program cuts

House Republicans are sending a clear and early warning to their Senate allies as the bill encompassing President Trump’s domestic priorities heads to the upper chamber: Don’t water it down. House GOP leaders spent weeks in delicate talks with Republican holdouts before cobbling together a fragile agreement that could thread the needle between conservatives’

The massive budget bill passed by the House includes new tax breaks for tipped workers and those who get overtime.

There are as many factions among Republicans in the upper chamber as in the House. Both chambers have to agree on the final product. It won’t be easy.

GOP senators have raised concerns about the deficit impact of the emerging package, as well as the cuts to Medicaid and clean energy funding.

Before Speaker Mike Johnson could get his first real stretch of sleep in three days, the House GOP’s painstakingly drafted “big, beautiful bill” was running into resistance in the Senate.

President Trump met with holdouts again Wednesday as leaders ramp up their efforts to build support around the bill.