Speaker Johnson clinches $9.4B GOP spending cut bill by a single vote as House chaos and protests overshadow the margin.

GOP Pushes $9.4 Billion in Cuts Through Narrow Victory

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leaders secured passage of a $9.4 billion spending cut bill Thursday, winning by just one vote amid political chaos and heated floor debates. The so-called “rescissions” bill strips funding from USAID and public broadcasting, reversing allocations approved by Congress only months earlier. The measure, which passed 214-212, underscores the razor-thin margin by which Republicans now operate—an eight-seat majority, with three vacancies, means they can afford almost no defections.

The bill was nearly derailed midway through the roll call, as several Republicans, including Representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Don Bacon, expressed concerns about cuts to key programs and the mechanics of White House spending authority. After intense floor discussions, last-minute conversations with Johnson and the GOP Whip swayed hesitant members, flipping crucial “no” votes to “yes.”

Republican lawmakers described the vote as a pivotal step in making good on party pledges to reduce government spending and advance proposals from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Johnson, addressing reporters outside the chamber, said, “We are fulfilling the promises we made to the American people. Today’s passage of this initial rescissions package marks a critical step towards a more responsible and transparent government that puts the interests of the American taxpayers first.”

Capitol Unrest and Slim Margins Define New Legislative Era

Thursday’s vote took place against a backdrop of tumult in the Capitol. As lawmakers debated, a confrontation involving Senator Alex Padilla and federal officers sparked outcry, shifting media attention from the House floor to a wave of protests and heated committee hearings. Chaos reigned as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Democratic senators demanded action from Republican leadership, adding to the day’s disorder.

The narrow victory builds on a string of close wins for Johnson’s speakership. Previous GOP efforts to advance key fiscal bills—including the Big, Beautiful Bill and interim spending measures—have hinged on single-vote margins. Political observers have begun comparing Johnson’s ability to marshal slim majorities to the tactics of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, renowned for navigating tough votes with larger majorities. Johnson’s challenge is made steeper by his party’s much thinner margin.

Despite the drama and competing headlines, the passage of the rescissions bill allows Republicans to refocus on further spending cut proposals from the Trump administration. Still, the slim majority means future battles over controversial budget items will likely be fought just as fiercely. The day’s events highlighted the high-stakes maneuvering now required to govern in an era of deep political division and tight vote counts.