Warren Davidson Joins Other Republicans in Opposing the House Budget
He joins a group of at least three other Republicans who are opposing Speaker Mike Johnson's plan, while several others remain undecided.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio became the latest Republican to oppose Speaker Mike Johnson's budget plan, further jeopardizing the House GOP's efforts to advance President Donald Trump's extensive domestic policy agenda.
Johnson's margin for error is slim, and Davidson joins Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana in expressing public dissent regarding the fiscal blueprint that GOP leaders aim to pass on Tuesday evening. Additionally, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee has indicated he is likely to oppose it as well.
“They convinced me in there — I’m a no,” Massie stated after leaving a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday.
Davidson expressed particular frustration over how GOP leaders are addressing the approaching March 14 government funding deadline. “I’m not voting for that,” he said, citing a lack of detailed information on Johnson's appropriations legislation.
Johnson’s immediate challenge, however, is to advance the budget resolution, which is essential for passing the border security, tax, and energy policies highlighted in Trump's campaign.
In addition to fiscal conservatives, a separate group of moderate Republicans has expressed concerns regarding the extent of the Medicaid cuts suggested by the budget plan. However, some within this group indicated on Monday night that they were leaning toward supporting Johnson following a presentation from House leaders.
Davidson is part of a small faction of conservative hard-liners who have grown increasingly frustrated as GOP leaders urge support for the budget plan without providing more clarity about the approaching government funding deadline, which is now just over two weeks away.
While he left the possibility open for supporting a crucial procedural vote that would pave the way for a final budget vote later that afternoon, he made it clear to reporters on Tuesday morning that he would oppose the resolution on the floor if further details weren’t provided by leaders. He is advocating for additional cuts in agency spending in that separate legislation.
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole reportedly offered to discuss funding questions with Davidson during the meeting.
Johnson faces significant challenges: No Democrats are anticipated to support the budget plan, meaning he can afford to lose only one Republican and still achieve approval if all members are present and voting.
In an interview, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise did not dismiss the idea of postponing the scheduled 6 p.m. vote, emphasizing that they would continue discussions with holdouts. The GOP leadership is keen to avoid bringing the budget measure to the floor if it appears poised for failure, especially given Senate Republicans' eagerness to propose their own competing Plan B.
After the Tuesday morning meeting, Johnson informed reporters that Republicans would vote on the resolution “as early as” that day, suggesting a potential delay was still an option.
Scalise and Johnson may receive some assistance: While Democratic leaders have encouraged their members to attend and vote to amplify pressure on the GOP, several Democrats could be absent that evening.
Rep. Brittany Pettersen has recently given birth, Rep. Raúl Grijalva has been frequently absent due to cancer treatments, and Rep. Kevin Mullin could also miss the vote due to complications from knee surgery.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Johnson's margin for error is slim, and Davidson joins Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana in expressing public dissent regarding the fiscal blueprint that GOP leaders aim to pass on Tuesday evening. Additionally, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee has indicated he is likely to oppose it as well.
“They convinced me in there — I’m a no,” Massie stated after leaving a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday.
Davidson expressed particular frustration over how GOP leaders are addressing the approaching March 14 government funding deadline. “I’m not voting for that,” he said, citing a lack of detailed information on Johnson's appropriations legislation.
Johnson’s immediate challenge, however, is to advance the budget resolution, which is essential for passing the border security, tax, and energy policies highlighted in Trump's campaign.
In addition to fiscal conservatives, a separate group of moderate Republicans has expressed concerns regarding the extent of the Medicaid cuts suggested by the budget plan. However, some within this group indicated on Monday night that they were leaning toward supporting Johnson following a presentation from House leaders.
Davidson is part of a small faction of conservative hard-liners who have grown increasingly frustrated as GOP leaders urge support for the budget plan without providing more clarity about the approaching government funding deadline, which is now just over two weeks away.
While he left the possibility open for supporting a crucial procedural vote that would pave the way for a final budget vote later that afternoon, he made it clear to reporters on Tuesday morning that he would oppose the resolution on the floor if further details weren’t provided by leaders. He is advocating for additional cuts in agency spending in that separate legislation.
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole reportedly offered to discuss funding questions with Davidson during the meeting.
Johnson faces significant challenges: No Democrats are anticipated to support the budget plan, meaning he can afford to lose only one Republican and still achieve approval if all members are present and voting.
In an interview, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise did not dismiss the idea of postponing the scheduled 6 p.m. vote, emphasizing that they would continue discussions with holdouts. The GOP leadership is keen to avoid bringing the budget measure to the floor if it appears poised for failure, especially given Senate Republicans' eagerness to propose their own competing Plan B.
After the Tuesday morning meeting, Johnson informed reporters that Republicans would vote on the resolution “as early as” that day, suggesting a potential delay was still an option.
Scalise and Johnson may receive some assistance: While Democratic leaders have encouraged their members to attend and vote to amplify pressure on the GOP, several Democrats could be absent that evening.
Rep. Brittany Pettersen has recently given birth, Rep. Raúl Grijalva has been frequently absent due to cancer treatments, and Rep. Kevin Mullin could also miss the vote due to complications from knee surgery.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
