President Trump joins GOP lawmakers to push for his sweeping budget bill as Democrats criticize late-night sessions.

Trump Rallies Republicans as Key Vote Nears

President Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning to bolster Republican efforts to pass his expansive “one big, beautiful bill,” a sweeping legislative package addressing taxes, immigration, defense, energy policy, and the national debt. The president’s visit to the closed-door House GOP conference marked a significant escalation in his direct involvement with Congress as Republicans aim to finalize the bill ahead of Memorial Day.

“He wants to be involved as much as we need him,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told colleagues during a lawmaker-only call. Trump reportedly expressed enthusiasm and commitment during a Monday phone call with Johnson. The GOP is pursuing the legislation through budget reconciliation, a process allowing passage with a simple Senate majority, thereby bypassing Democratic opposition.

Still, internal divisions persist. Fiscal conservatives want deeper Medicaid cuts and faster work requirements, while moderates warn against scaling back critical public programs. Others argue over the repeal of green energy subsidies from the previous administration and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap—an issue critical to Republicans in high-tax states.

Late-Night Maneuvers Spark Democratic Outrage

As Republicans push the bill forward, their tactics have prompted fierce backlash from Democrats, who accuse them of scheduling votes in the “dead of night” to avoid public scrutiny. The Budget Committee met Sunday at 10:26 p.m. ET and passed the bill by a narrow 17-16 vote, with several Republicans voting “present.” The Rules Committee then announced it would convene at 1 a.m. Wednesday to finalize debate procedures for the House floor.

“Republicans are scheduling votes in the DEAD OF NIGHT on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said, alleging the bill would strip healthcare from vulnerable Americans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed that sentiment, claiming Republicans are hiding efforts to cut Medicaid and nutrition assistance while handing tax breaks to billionaires.

“They know these provisions are deeply unpopular,” Jeffries said at a Monday press conference. “That’s why they’re doing this in the middle of the night.”

Republicans insist the scheduling is procedural. House rules allow Democrats two calendar days to file dissenting views, making a 1 a.m. Wednesday start the earliest option for the Rules Committee. GOP members also say they’re under pressure to meet the Memorial Day deadline and ensure the bill reaches Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July.

Despite criticisms, Republicans are prepared for all-night sessions. Lawmakers from various committees, including Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, have already worked marathon hours to craft and revise the legislation. The possibility of floor debate and voting extending into Thursday night or Friday morning remains on the table.

In a nod to the long hours and grinding pace, some likened the scene in Congress to Edward Hopper’s iconic painting Nighthawks, capturing weary figures trying to endure the night. “Such is the lot drawn this week by House Republicans,” one lawmaker said, as the party scrambles to deliver on Trump’s legislative agenda.

Whether the bill passes or not, Republicans are pressing ahead, determined to shape federal policy through a single, ambitious package. Late-night sessions, procedural brinkmanship, and internal negotiations are all part of the path forward as Congress works toward a decisive vote.