House Republicans work through the night on Trump’s tax cut bill

House Republicans are channeling the iconic American artist Edward Hopper this week as they work to pass President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” Hopper is best known for his 1942 painting “Nighthawks,” which depicts four individuals in a diner in the dead of night. The deserted streetscape in the foreground sets the scene, with two men sitting separately at the counter, lost in their own thoughts. A woman with scarlet hair and a red dress contemplates a piece of food, while a young counterman is busy with his tasks.

The sense of detachment and solitude in “Nighthawks” mirrors the late-night efforts of House Republicans this week. The House Budget Committee met at 10:26 p.m. ET on Sunday to advance the tax cut and spending reduction package after a setback on Friday. The committee approved the bill 17-16, with four Republicans voting “present.” The next stop is the House Rules Committee, which will prepare the bill for the floor with a meeting scheduled for 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

The intense schedule on Capitol Hill reflects the urgency of passing the legislation. Meetings are long and frequent, and lawmakers are prepared to work late into the night to get the bill across the finish line. The House could be debating or voting on the measure late into the night on Thursday or even Friday.

The late-night sessions are reminiscent of the coffee-fueled figures in Hopper’s painting, trying to make it through the night to dawn. The procedural hurdles faced by House Republicans, from the initial Budget Committee vote to the Rules Committee meeting, are all part of the parliamentary process to move the legislation forward.

The late-night meetings serve a practical purpose, allowing Republicans to maximize their time and potentially vote on the bill late in the day on Wednesday. The Rules Committee meeting could consume the entire day, with lawmakers proposing various amendments. Once the bill is out of the Rules Committee, expect more late-night meetings among Republicans as they work to secure the necessary votes.

The fate of the “big, beautiful bill” remains uncertain, with key issues like spending cuts and state and local tax deductions still up in the air. The House Republicans are prepared to work late into the night, whenever necessary, to pass the bill. The vote could come at any time, but more likely late at night, as they strive to achieve their legislative goals.