House leaders ready Trump tax bill as some Republicans threaten mutiny
The House of Representatives is gearing up to take on the Senate’s modified version of President Donald Trump’s ambitious bill this week. The Senate passed the bill after a grueling weekend session, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
The bill, which first passed the House by a slim margin in late May, is set to be revisited by Speaker Mike Johnson and his fellow Republicans. With just three Republicans to spare, Johnson will need to navigate various concerns from both moderate and conservative members of his party.
Despite lingering doubts, House GOP leaders are pushing forward with their timeline to get the bill on the president’s desk by the Fourth of July. Emphasizing their commitment to enacting President Trump’s America First agenda, GOP leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming their dedication to delivering on the promises made to the American people.
Following a brief call with lawmakers over the weekend, House leaders are preparing for votes to begin as early as Wednesday. Majority Whip Tom Emmer has been gauging support within the GOP remotely, while urging lawmakers to address their concerns directly with their Senate counterparts.
However, conservative fiscal hawks in the House have raised red flags about the Senate’s version of the bill, particularly after the parliamentarian ruled out certain provisions. The budget reconciliation process, which allows for a lower threshold for passage but requires adherence to strict guidelines, has presented challenges for Republicans seeking to advance Trump’s agenda.
In response to concerns raised by lawmakers, the Senate made several changes to the bill, including the addition of a $50 billion rural hospital fund and increased tax deductions for whale hunters. The bill also includes a $5 trillion increase to the debt limit, compared to the House bill’s $4 trillion.
House Freedom Caucus Policy Chair Rep. Chip Roy voiced his reservations about the bill on social media, highlighting the deficit issues and other substantive problems. Rep. Greg Steube also expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on spending and the framework agreed upon in the House.
Moderate Republicans in the House are also threatening to vote against the bill over Medicaid cuts that could shift costs onto states that expanded their Medicaid populations under ObamaCare. Rep. David Valadao and Rep. Young Kim are among those who have signaled their opposition to the bill unless changes are made to protect Medicaid funding.
As negotiations continue and tensions rise within the GOP, House leaders are urging lawmakers to keep their concerns private and address them directly with their Senate counterparts. With votes expected to begin this week, the fate of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” hangs in the balance as Republicans navigate the complexities of the reconciliation process.
