Trump ramps up pressure on GOP holdouts as his megabill meets its ultimate fate

President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are betting that key GOP holdouts will buckle under enormous pressure to pass his sweeping agenda within days – even as a number are warning they’re prepared to sink the multitrillion-dollar measure without major changes.

President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are betting that key GOP holdouts will buckle under enormous pressure to pass his sweeping agenda within days – even as a number are warning they’re prepared to sink the multi-trillion-dollar measure without major changes. But tensions are escalating between the House and Senate and between moderates and conservatives who are battling over competing versions – as Trump demands the bill on his desk by July 4. With the Senate planning a critical vote to begin debate as soon as Thursday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson are both racing to quell rebellions among their centrist and right-wing factions. Behind the scenes, Johnson and his allies are in high-stakes talks with Senate GOP leaders to resolve final sticking points, while stressing to their own House members that they may ultimately need to back the Senate’s version because further cross-Capitol negotiations aren’t feasible, according to two sources familiar with the discussions, a move certain to cause an outcry among many in his conference. That means GOP holdouts could ultimately be left with this choice: Vote for a plan they detest or sink the bill and endure Trump’s wrath. GOP leaders in both chambers are gambling their members will choose the former. “When it comes over, we’ll pass it,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told CNN. “We’ve been talking over a year. The time for voting is now.”