U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-07) on Friday predicted that President Donald Trump will intervene in the ongoing negotiations over the budget reconciliation bill in the House of Representatives, with the president pulling “victory out of the hands of defeat” to see the passage of a bill containing many of his campaign promises.
Though Burchett told Real America’s Voice host Terrance Bates that he had not yet committed to voting for the “big, beautiful bill” which failed last week, Burchett said during his Friday appearance on the network that he expects Trump to successfully shepherd legislation through Congress within the next two weeks.
“I have not committed to a yes vote, because this like Medicaid for instance,” said Burchett. “There’s able bodied people that should get out and work and should have to apply for a job, or at least do job training, to qualify for these Medicaid dollars.”
Nonetheless, Burchett compared Congress to “an NBA game,” and advised viewers only tune in for “the last two minutes.”
“Don’t watch the whole game, because it really doesn’t matter,” said Burchett. “The last two minutes, President Trump is engaged, he’s calling people by the minute, and I guarantee you he will bring it in, and we will get a good, big, beautiful bill passed.”
RECONCILIATION BILL: WHY IS CONGRESS GOING HOME?@TBatesNews and @RepTimBurchett discuss the big beautiful bill that failed today, "he is gonna get it, President Trump always pulls victory out of the hands of defeat." pic.twitter.com/MbJotIMa2o
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) May 16, 2025
Blaming the current impasse on Republican leadership, and appearing to lament the “arbitrary dates” created as goals to pass the budget bill, Burchett predicted a bill will be passed within the next two weeks.
“It might be next week, it might be the week after, but he’s going to get it,” said Burchett. “President Trump always pulls victory out of the hands of defeat, and he’s great at that, and everybody knows it.”
He added, “And he will be on the phone calling, and that’s what he’s doing right now.”
While the legislation seemed to reach an impasse on Friday, when five Republicans on the House Budget Committee, Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX-21), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Josh Brecheen (R-OK-02), Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), voted to kill the bill, Burchett predicted its opponents would ultimately stand down.
“A lot of people are rattling the sabers, but I’ve seen these cats many times,” said Burchett. “They always fold.”
Burchett said some of the opponents previously joined him on “other tough votes,” when only a handful of Republicans remained in opposition, and noted that those currently opposed to the bill were not among them.
“They get what they need and they can go home and declare victory,” said Burchett.
Burchett has stressed the need for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) to include meaningful spending cuts in the legislation to secure votes from conservative Republicans.
While he ultimately voted in favor, last month Burchett expressed his concerns about a resolution creating the budget’s framework during an appearance on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
“I’ve been concerned about our fiscal state, and currently, it’s not going so well,” said Burchett. “Leadership and the lobbyists say, ‘Now is not the time, it’s next time.’ It is always the next time.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Rep. Tim Burchett” by Rep. Tim Burchett.
