President Donald Trump’s White House is pushing hard to get its landmark budget package passed by July 4—but with less than two weeks to go, some Senate Republicans are hitting the brakes.

In a closed-door lunch on Wednesday, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told Senate Republicans the president expects the legislation—dubbed the “big, beautiful bill”—on his desk by Independence Day. But even as Senate Majority Leader John Thune accelerates the timeline with hopes of a vote next week, there’s significant resistance brewing within the GOP ranks.

Senators are still wrangling over key components of the package, including proposed Medicaid reforms and a rollback of green energy tax breaks put in place under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, House conservatives are warning that the Senate’s version may be “dead on arrival” in their chamber, complicating the path forward.

Pressure from the Top

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) summarized Wiles’ message bluntly: “Get it done next week.” He added, “She didn’t leave much room.” Other Republicans echoed the urgency, with Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) saying the bill is a “high priority” and that Trump’s team is deeply involved in its final language.

Still, the pace isn’t sitting well with all Republicans. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) voiced concern over the rushed timeline, saying, “The Senate loves deadlines—and what we really like is the whooshing sound they make when they go right by.” He stressed that not every lawmaker would get what they wanted, quipping, “Some people are going to have to settle for a ham and egg sandwich without the ham.”

Conservatives Cry Foul

Two senators are confirmed “no” votes: Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ron Johnson (R-WI). Paul opposes the $5 trillion debt ceiling hike included in the bill, while Johnson continues to demand a return to pre-pandemic spending levels. “We don’t have time to complete it by July 4 and get it right,” Johnson warned.

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) agreed the deadline feels artificial, saying “half a dozen” GOP senators still harbor serious concerns. “Don’t force [a vote], let it be the natural way,” he cautioned.

Among the undecided or uneasy are Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Jim Justice (R-WV), who are wary of Medicaid reform provisions. Meanwhile, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Curtis (R-UT) are signaling skepticism over scaling back green energy subsidies.

Can the Clock Be Beat?

Thune can only afford to lose three GOP votes, assuming Democrats unify in opposition. Most signs point to the White House being just short of the magic number—though insiders say they remain optimistic. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) believes a deal could be finalized “on or before” next weekend. He praised Wiles as a steadying force, saying “She’s really good… and people really, really like her.”

Still, concerns are mounting that forcing a vote on such a sweeping fiscal package with this compressed timeline could backfire. Critics argue the bill deserves more scrutiny, particularly its long-term impact on the national debt and core entitlement programs.

Bottom Line

Trump’s budget gamble rests on a tightrope of party unity. Whether the GOP can rally in time to deliver a major legislative win before July 4—or whether ideological fractures will delay the fireworks—remains to be seen. Either way, the next few days are poised to test the limits of Trump’s influence on Capitol Hill.