House on Edge: Republican Defections Threaten Passage of Key Procedural Vote

 In the early hours of Thursday, tension continued to mount inside the U.S. House of Representatives as lawmakers remained locked in a critical procedural vote that will determine whether debate can begin on the latest legislative package, paving the way for a final passage vote.

With the clock ticking past midnight Eastern Time, the political stakes are high. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a razor-thin margin for success, as five Republican lawmakers have already voted against advancing the measure — two more than Johnson can afford to lose, given unified Democratic opposition.

The vote, which remains open, offers a narrow window for GOP leadership to persuade dissenting members to change their stance. In the sparsely populated chamber, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi was among the few Democratic lawmakers still present, seen thanking House staff for their late-night efforts. "Total foolishness," she remarked, in an apparent critique of the protracted proceedings.

Among the Republicans voting against the procedural measure:

• Thomas Massie (Kentucky) — A vocal fiscal conservative who opposed the House’s previous tax bill in May over national debt concerns.

• Keith Self (Texas) — Criticized the current bill earlier in the day as “morally and fiscally bankrupt.”

• Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) — Considered one of the party's most moderate voices, Fitzpatrick’s 'no' vote surprised many. Unlike other dissenters engaged in negotiations, he left the chamber immediately after casting his vote.

• Andrew Clyde (Georgia)

• Victoria Spartz (Indiana)

An additional eight Republicans, all of whom have publicly expressed reservations over fiscal issues, have yet to cast their votes. Several of them were seen huddling near Speaker Johnson as the vote continued, with negotiations unfolding in real time.

Notably, Representative David Valadao (California), a moderate who has raised concerns regarding proposed Medicaid funding cuts, remains uncommitted, lingering at the back of the chamber.

The outcome of this procedural vote is pivotal — without its passage, the bill cannot proceed to full debate or a final vote on the House floor. With tensions running high, the legislative fate of the measure now hinges on last-minute negotiations and the shifting allegiances within the Republican caucus.