Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a fiscal hawk who has openly criticized House Republicans' reconciliation bill, predicted Sunday that there are enough in his flock to stop the process "until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit.

In the House, President Trump can threaten a primary, and those guys want to keep their seats. I understand the pressure," Johnson said. "Can’t pressure me that way."

Republican budget hawks faced painful calculations Wednesday as the House inched toward advancing President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that would saddle more generations with trillions of dollars in debt.