Speaker Mike Johnson eyes Wednesday for House consideration of Trump tax bill
House lawmakers are gearing up to consider President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” as early as Wednesday morning, according to a notice sent to congressional offices on Sunday night. The House GOP leaders are aiming to kick off the process at 9 a.m. on Wednesday with an initial House-wide vote.
However, the Senate is still in the process of working through the massive piece of legislation as of Monday morning. House GOP Policy Chair Kevin Hern, R-Okla., emphasized the urgency of getting the bill passed, stating, “The president has been very clear that it’s time to get this bill out of Congress and over to his desk. We’re going to celebrate Independence Day with a big, beautiful signing ceremony and finally deliver this tax relief to American families.”
The initial House-wide vote will be a “rule” vote, a procedural step to allow lawmakers to begin debating the bill. This could lead to a final vote by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, depending on last-minute efforts to rally support. The House Rules Committee, the final gatekeeper before most legislation is considered by the entire chamber, is expected to review the bill on Tuesday.
The bill, which spans 940 pages, is aimed at advancing Trump’s priorities on taxes, the border, energy, defense, and the national debt. The president has expressed his desire to have the bill on his desk around the Fourth of July.
Some House Republicans have raised concerns about certain modifications made by the Senate to the bill. Moderates are cautious about additional cost-sharing burdens for states that expanded Medicaid populations under the Affordable Care Act, while conservatives argue that other measures in the bill could contribute to a further increase in the national debt.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., have encouraged Republicans to address their concerns with leadership or their Senate counterparts rather than airing grievances on social media. Despite these concerns, leadership allies have been actively promoting the bill in the media.
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., highlighted the bill’s focus on delivering tax relief for seniors and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and auto interest. Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas, emphasized the importance of passing the bill to prevent what he described as the largest tax hike in history.
The Senate is set to engage in a marathon “vote-a-rama” on the bill, with various senators offering an unlimited number of amendments. This process could potentially lead to further changes before the bill reaches Trump’s desk.
In conclusion, the House is poised to move forward with consideration of Trump’s significant legislation, with the goal of delivering tax relief and advancing the president’s policy priorities. The path to passing the bill remains challenging, with slim margins and differing opinions within the Republican Party. As the legislative process unfolds, the focus remains on reaching a consensus and ultimately delivering on the promises made to the American people.
