Republicans Stumped: Democrats Smiling as Budget Backlash Looms

WASHINGTON — Democrats find themselves unsure whether to shout, weep, or rejoice — so they're indulging in all three reactions. Once they manage to squeeze in a short nap or two.

Following extensive negotiations, legislators from the House had to work through the night until Republicans ultimately approved President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, known as his One Big Beautiful Bill ,” early Thursday morning.

The difficult part now starts as numerous Republican senators are calling for modifications to the plan. sweeping measure , which promotes Trump’s agenda while reducing both taxes and expenditures on programs like Medicaid. Meanwhile, Democrats are gearing up for a fight — and claim the Republicans have handed them all the ammunition they require.

“ They remain oblivious,” Representative John Garamendi (D-CA) stated. Raw Story , highlighting the last-minute discussions and approval of the bill. "When people have something to hide, they prefer not to let others know, conducting their activities discreetly and secretly so as not to face consequences. This will lead to accountability for them."

Throughout the night, congressional staffers pored over as much of the 1,000+ page bill as they could. Even committee chairs didn’t know if their amendments made the final bill or were stripped out in secret.

"These characters are penning the next campaign," Garamundi stated, referring to the midterms. elections next year. “It is 50 districts that will be up [for grabs], maybe more. And in those districts, this bill has killer provisions. Big stuff. Medicaid, taxes are bad enough — and then we don't know all of it.”

‘Chairs don't read their own bills’

By 6:24am, when legislators cast their votes on the final bill, the Capitol had transformed into something resembling a frat house rather than the usual staid legislative chamber they were accustomed to.

In public restrooms, aides brushed Cheetos-stained teeth. Lawmakers lounged about, in jeans or workout gear. Garbage cans overflowed with pizza boxes, cookie wrappers and crushed energy drink bottles. The caffeine stopped working at some point — most members were zombie-like.

"I'm managing, but finding it tough," said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), yawning widely as he spoke to Raw Story shortly past midnight.

However, outwardly at minimum, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appeared rejuvenated, nearly ecstatic.

Mike Johnson was strolling through the Capitol with a grin resembling that of the Cheshire Cat," Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) shared with Raw Story on the stairs outside at approximately 2 a.m. "Actually, he often carries an expression similar to the Cheshire Cat, as you point out, yet tonight it seemed even more prominent.

Regular lawmakers didn't have the chance to view—or even go through—the full bill until roughly 9 pm on Wednesday. Powerful committee heads rushed to ensure that oral agreements were committed to writing.

Raw Story queried Stansbury about her thoughts on "how the Republicans are rallying all their supporters behind this, and they haven’t even finished reading the bill, so they have no idea what’s actually in it?"

“To be frank, this didn’t come as a shock,” stated the ex-Senate employee. “Let me assure you, I serve on several committees where the chairpersons do not even go through their respective legislation, hence I wasn’t taken aback to learn that numerous chairs struggle with simple inquiries.”

Hardly any legislators managed to fully comprehend the extensive legislation, yet Democrats argued that the bill had turned into a Trojan horse, being exploited by Republicans for their cultural battles across the country.

numerous particular clauses covering all sorts of highly conservative issues – this includes abortion "about education — continues endlessly," Garamendi stated.

It’s an appalling bit of legislation. This could very well be the worst piece of legislation I've ever come across. Nothing compares to this.

‘A master of distraction ’

Making laws can get quite messy. Therefore, Democrats aren’t counting on voter compassion.

"As much hay as we can squeeze out of this... does anyone truly care by the time we finish that we stayed late and pushed through the legislation?" Representative John Larson (D-CT) remarked to Raw Story during the wee hours.

Although Democrats and their progressive supporters detest the Republican legislation, they anticipate Trump to pressure senators continuously until he receives a finalized bill to approve.

He excels at diverting attention," Larson stated. "We often overlook this, yet you can’t become President of the United States two times without understanding manipulation and getting your point across. He leverages social media just as well as anyone else.

Applying pressure on hesitant Republicans might be effective momentarily, yet this approach could severely harm the GOP in the upcoming year's midterm elections.

Certain Democrats are reminiscing about 2009, back when then Speaker Pelosi was in charge. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) compelled the party to take a stance on a stringent climate change proposal.

During the 2010 midterm elections, conservative members of the party — known as Blue Dog Democrats — faced significant losses, dropping from 54 representatives down to only 28. Today, their numbers have further dwindled to just 10. Comparisons are consequently being made.

“Are you having flashbacks to when Pelosi put the climate bill on the floor and then you lost all Blue Dogs forever?” Raw Story asked Larson.

“Yeah,” Larson said. “Oh, yeah.”

Pelosi guided her climate bill through with a vote of 219-212. Critics continue to express disappointment that moderate Democratic senators supported her on an initiative that didn't even receive a vote in the Senate.

Speaker Johnson managed to get his bill passed with a vote of 215-214 , with two Republicans abstaining from voting and one voting 'present'. Similar to Pelosi, his smile might not last long either.

Although Johnson is pushing for the Senate to approve the House bill without changes, Republican senators dismiss this idea with laughter. Mistrust is evident.

"They have a vibrant atmosphere over there that traditionally — historically, usually — is well-organized but not very conservative," Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA) stated to Raw Story.

Following months of internal disputes among House Republicans, the responsibility now lies with the Senate.

‘This should be DOA’

A handful of Senate Republicans previously served in the House, but that doesn’t mean members of the two chambers chat regularly.

Even applies to someone such as Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a previous mixed martial artist who departed the House merely two years back.

We don't chat the way we used to," Higgins remarked with a smirk. "He would hit up this gym before, but nowadays he's at that posh one across town.

Differences run deeper than just being skin deep at the gym.

Deep mistrust exists between certain groups within the House Republican Conference and their colleagues in the Senate. This has led many Republicans, who have recently put themselves at considerable political risk by passing Trump’s agenda consolidated into a single piece of legislation, to worry that their efforts might be completely overturned due to the whims of any senator.

Several Republican senators have offered conciliatory gestures, vowing not to dismantle the extensive 1,000-page bill passed by the House.

We won’t be making drastic changes overall," Mullin explained to Raw Story. "Instead, we'll work with the bill and attempt to freshen up some of the internal aspects for ... the Senate, as we also need to leave our mark.

Share that with Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI). He stated this week that the concerning report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report —which discovered that the House bill would boost the deficit by $3.8 trillion — demonstrated he was justified in calling for far more substantial reductions in spending.

Numerous Republicans have misgivings about the CBO, yet Johnson asserts that his "calculations" match their unbiased evaluation.

"Is that sufficient for you?" Raw Story enquired about the GOP pledge to reduce the debt, contrary to established calculations.

Absolutely not," Johnson stated. "Our focus ought to be on decreasing 10-year deficits rather than maintaining their current levels or even expanding them. It should be dead on arrival. There’s no reason for us to discuss this.

NOW READ: How Republicans snuck hidden, last minute provisions into their horrendous budget bill

Related Articles:

・ 'Error': Certain Republicans are concerned that a crucial plan might cause them to lose the midterm elections.

・ Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes 'typical Republicans' during her 2026 Senate bid announcement

・ 'Cautious': GOP prepares for midterm 'tempest' in 2026 as Trump’s policies come into effect

・ 'Tremendous campaign war chests': Trump 'started deliberating over midterm tactics immediately following his November victory'

・ How Trump-aligned Republicans might 'strip away' voting rights for millions of citizens in 2026