House Republicans push Trump agenda through all-night markup session
The House of Representatives’ tax-writing panel made significant progress in advancing President Donald Trump’s tax agenda on Wednesday morning after a marathon session that began the previous day. Lawmakers entered a cavernous and chilly room in the Longworth House Office building just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, embarking on a lengthy process to push through Trump’s comprehensive tax bill.
The House Ways & Means Committee, which is responsible for drafting tax legislation, voted 26 to 19 in a party-line decision to advance its portion of Trump’s bill. This move was a crucial step in the overall effort, as 11 committees are working together to create one comprehensive piece of legislation.
Despite facing a barrage of protest amendments from Democratic lawmakers attempting to slow down proceedings and force Republicans to take difficult votes, the committee pressed forward. The Energy & Commerce Committee also met through the night to discuss key components of Trump’s bill, with protesters both inside and outside the room attempting to disrupt the process.
At the heart of the debate was the issue of Medicaid cuts, with Democrats accusing Republicans of seeking to slash vital services while Republicans argued they were focused on eliminating waste and abuse within the system. There were heated exchanges between lawmakers from both parties, with tensions running high as the committees worked to find areas for spending cuts and funding offsets.
The Ways & Means Committee faced challenges related to the Affordable Care Act tax credits, tax cuts for the wealthy, and changes to the state and local tax deduction cap. Democrats pushed for amendments to preserve critical programs, while Republicans defended their proposals as necessary steps to streamline the tax code and support vulnerable populations.
As the committees continued their meetings, discussions around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the Agriculture Committee drew attention. Democrats accused Republicans of attempting to gut the program, while Republicans highlighted efforts to secure SNAP from waste and abuse while supporting initiatives for young farmers and export markets.
Overall, House and Senate Republicans are utilizing the budget reconciliation process to advance Trump’s agenda, allowing them to bypass Democratic opposition and pass legislation with a simple majority vote. The House Budget Committee aims to advance the full bill on Friday, setting the stage for a House-wide vote and eventual passage in the Senate.
Wednesday marked a critical day in the legislative process, with multiple committees working to finalize their portions of the bill before it is assembled into one comprehensive piece of legislation. The push to deliver Trump’s tax, border, immigration, energy, and defense priorities remains a top priority for Republicans as they navigate the complex legislative landscape.
