Republican Party Shows Signs of Division Over Trump's Economic Agenda Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Jan 9, 2026

Fractures are emerging in the Republican party over President Trump's agenda ahead of the 2026 midterms. Divisions span economic policy, with a proposed $1.6T in budget cuts facing pushback from moderates, and foreign policy, including a military operation in Venezuela and a desire to acquire Greenland. Several GOP lawmakers have voted with Democrats on war powers and ACA subsidies, prompting Trump to call for their removal from office.

Republican divisions over Trump agenda

▪RSC Chair Rep. August Pfluger stated that the "only way forward in this fight, unfortunately, is without Democrats."
▪The Republican Study Committee (RSC) proposed a budget framework with $1.6 trillion in cost-cutting, including to health care and welfare programs.
▪The Republican Study Committee's budget proposal highlighted divisions within the GOP rather than uniting the party.
▪Moderate Republicans like Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and Rep. Don Bacon called for a more bipartisan approach instead of the RSC's partisan bill.

Venezuela military operation

▪Democrats are forcing votes on war powers resolutions to prevent President Trump from attacking Venezuela without congressional approval.
▪Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused President Trump of "lurching towards another endless, expensive war."
▪President Donald Trump's recent actions include a military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Congressional war powers debate

▪President Trump reacted to the vote by calling for the five dissenting Republicans to "never be elected to office again."
▪Sen. Todd Young stated his vote aligned with President Trump's campaign goal of "ending foreign entanglements."
▪The five GOP senators who voted for the war powers resolution included Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana.

Greenland acquisition pushback

▪Sen. Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated it was Denmark's right not to sell Greenland.
▪Retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis called the Greenland discussion "nonsense" and a "distraction," stating the advisors who suggested it "should lose their jobs."
▪Retiring Republican Rep. Don Bacon said he was "troubled by Greenland" and felt Congress should provide more "checks and balances."
▪President Trump's desire to acquire Greenland, and his administration not ruling out military force, faced significant resistance from GOP lawmakers.

Health care subsidy vote

▪The House passed a Democratic proposal to extend expired subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans.
▪The Republican Study Committee's budget proposes reforming the ACA subsidy structure to direct funds through health savings accounts (HSAs).
▪Seventeen Republicans broke with their party's leadership to vote in favor of extending the ACA subsidies.

January 6 Capitol plaque

▪The Republican-controlled Senate agreed to display a plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol during the January 6 attack.
▪Republican Sen. Thom Tillis advocated for displaying the plaque, saying it was important to honor the police and staff who risked their safety.
▪The White House unveiled a website on the fifth anniversary of the attack that portrayed the event as a "witch hunt" against President Trump.