38 Republicans Stand Up To Trump: What 22 of Them Had to Say About Voting Against the American Relief Act of 2025
The American Relief Act of 2025 sparked fierce debate not just across party lines but within the Republican Party itself. Despite former President Donald Trump urging members of his party to rally behind the bill, 38 Republicans voted against it, exposing significant rifts in the GOP. Here’s what 22 of those dissenting Republicans had to say about why they bucked their party leader’s wishes
Rep. Chip Roy (TX): Roy lambasted the bill as a "watered-down version of the same crappy bill people were mad about yesterday," highlighting his dissatisfaction with its provisions and the lack of meaningful change.
Rep. Thomas Massie (KY): In a scathing critique, Massie said, “Now conservatives are clamoring for a clean CR and a debt limit increase! Isn’t that what Speaker McCarthy was vacated for? How times change.”
Rep. Cory Mills (FL): Mills questioned the sincerity of the bill’s timing and provisions, particularly the inclusion of the SAVE Act so close to elections, dismissing it as “political theatre.”
Rep. Nathaniel Moran (UT): Moran was blunt in his assessment, stating, “Unlimited debt increase for two years without meaningful policy wins or actual reductions in spending—all for a 3-month extension in government funding? That’s not conservative fiscal policy.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (SC): Mace emphasized her consistent opposition to continuing resolutions (CRs) and her commitment to fiscal responsibility: “When I said I wanted to cut spending, I meant it.”
Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT): Rosendale took to social media to declare his opposition with a succinct hashtag: “#NeverCR.” Later, he quipped that the bill “just goes to show, Washington really does serve up crap sandwiches.”
Rep. Kat Cammack (FL): Cammack criticized the bill’s debt implications: “Republicans campaigned on cutting spending and reducing the $35 trillion national debt. You can’t achieve that by suspending the debt limit… Until President-elect Trump takes office, I won’t grant Joe Biden an extension on an unlimited debt ceiling.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA): Clyde drew a line in the sand: “My constituents sent me to Congress to save our Republic. Not to worsen Washington’s deficit spending problem and increase the debt ceiling by $4+ trillion… I’m a HARD NO on the CR + debt limit hike.”
Rep. Alex Mooney (WV): Mooney called out procedural issues, stating, “We were forced to vote on this bill less than three hours after its announcement, blatantly violating the rule that gives us 72 hours to read and fully review legislation.”
Rep. Rich McCormick (GA): McCormick invoked Trump’s campaign promises: “The American people made it abundantly clear in November that they want Donald J. Trump to shake up the status quo… We have to end business as usual in Washington right here, right now.”
Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID): Fulcher decried the nation’s fiscal trajectory: “We do not have the money for endless government spending. The U.S.’s debt surpassed $36 trillion this year… Restoring fiscal sanity must be our top priority!”
Rep. Josh Brecheen (OK): Brecheen voted no, explaining, “The bill increases spending by over $100 billion… Oklahoma families have lost approximately 20 percent of their purchasing power since 2020 because of Congress’s continual deficit spending.”
Rep. Bob Good (VA): Good held firm: “No increase to the debt ceiling without major spending cuts and fiscal reforms… The era of reckless borrowing and spending must be over.”
Rep. Andy Ogles (TN): Ogles highlighted the rushed process, saying, “Given barely over an hour to review, I cannot in good conscience vote for the latest CR proposal…”
Rep. Keith Self (TX): Self criticized Congress’s failure to fund the government on time, stating, “I cannot support the negotiated deal that raises the debt by $4 trillion rather than making the cuts necessary to rein in government spending.”
Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN): Spartz took aim at leadership: “It’s an example of failed leadership by Speaker Johnson… The country is on a fiscal calamity course and we need to do something about it.”
Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI): Tiffany pointed to the staggering debt: “The national debt exceeds $36 trillion, and we cannot afford to keep kicking the can down the road.”
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX): Van Duyne remained consistent: “Voting against this enormous deficit spending is consistent with what I have promised the people of the 24th District I would do.”
Rep. Andy Harris (MD): Harris offered a nuanced take, supporting fiscal responsibility while acknowledging internal party struggles: “What Elon and Vivek want to do may run into problems in the Republican conference with cutting some spending.”
Rep. Debbie Lesko (AR): Lesko emphasized her mission: “My constituents sent me to Washington, D.C. to help drain the swamp… We must cut spending and reduce our debt!”
Rep. Greg Lopez (CO): Lopez painted a stark picture: “I cannot support a continuing resolution that… removes the debt ceiling, creating an open checkbook for Congress to spend more money it already doesn’t have.”
These statements reveal a deep divide within the Republican Party on fiscal policy, with many members prioritizing their principles over party unity—even when it means standing up to Trump. While Trump has long touted his mandate from the American people, the dissent within his own party suggests otherwise. Many Republicans appear to question the validity of that mandate, as their opposition to the American Relief Act demonstrates their unwillingness to align with his agenda.
This moment also signals a potential shift in Trump’s influence. Despite being a dominant figure in GOP politics, Trump’s sway over congressional Republicans seems weaker than during his previous term. If he cannot unify his party behind critical legislation, it raises questions about his ability to govern effectively with less support than he enjoyed before. The road ahead for Trump’s agenda may be far rockier than he anticipated.