Scoop: Tillis pops up against GOP's new reconciliation bill
Source: Axios · Bias: Center Left
Summary
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has told his colleagues in unequivocal terms that he will not vote for the budget reconciliation bill if the Senate considers it this week, according to two people familiar. Why it matters: Tillis' firm opposition to the bill in its current form threatens its passage in the Senate this week.There are other signs that a handful of GOP senators have serious concerns about the $72 billion package, especially the $1 billion for the Secret Service, which includes security upgrades for the East Wing ballroom.A half-dozen senators — including Tillis, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — have raised concerns about any funding for the ballroom.Many of them have noted that President Trump insisted the ballroom renovations would be underwritten by private donations.Zoom in: Funding for the Secret Service is currently not in the bill after an unfavorable ruling from the Senate parliamentarian Saturday night.GOP leaders are planning to bring the bill to the floor Thursday, after it passes out of committee Wednesday.The bill is subject to a vote-a-rama, giving Democrats an opportunity to offer amendments — including on the ballroom — that could be uncomfortable for Republicans, especially lawmakers who are up for reelection.A Tillis spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Between the lines: Tillis is fuming over the ouster of incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana's GOP primary — and he's warning that pushing a bill right now would hurt Sen. John Cornyn in Texas' GOP primary runoff next week.Tillis believes Cornyn should be free to campaign in Texas this week instead of being in D.C. for votes.
Related Coverage
- Business Leader Calls on New York City to Resist Mamdani (Far Right — The Gateway Pundit)
- Happy Freedom 250! Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires More “Deep State” Intel Officials (Far Right — The Gateway Pundit)
- REPORT: Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires Dozens of ODNI Staff for Politicizing Intelligence, Insubordination, Gross Misconduct (Far Right — The Last Refuge)
- Penn Dems boot GOP Rep from House floor for patriotic suit despite encouraging ‘Pride’ attire (Far Right — BizPac Review)
- Luka Doncic weighs in on new-look Lakers roster amid heavy criticism (Right — New York Post)
- Pay-to-play cycle behind GOP's corporate tax cuts exposed in new report (Far Left — Raw Story)
- Mamdani mocked by GOP for telling New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78 (Center — The Hill News)
- READ IN FULL: Zohran Mamdani’s America 250 address from George Washington’s desk at New York City Hall (Center Right — Washington Examiner)
Daily Analysis
Read the full Parallax Pulse for May 17, 2026 — an AI-powered analysis of how Left and Right media covered the biggest stories this day.
More Headlines From May 17, 2026
- Former Rubio advisor slams Trump for 'looting billions of taxpayer funds' (Left)
- Embattled Louisiana Sen. Cassidy Loses Primary as Trump-Backed Challenger and State Treasurer Head to a Runoff (Center Left)
- Senate parliamentarian nixes Trump’s ballroom fund in budget bill (Center Left)
- Sen. Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana Republican Senate primary (Center Left)
- Republican Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy loses primary after Trump intervenes to oust him (Center Left)








