House GOP circles wagons around its version of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

House GOP Pushes Senate to Accept Their Version of Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

The House GOP is ramping up pressure on the Senate to accept its version of President Donald Trump’s ambitious legislative package, despite signals from lawmakers in the upper chamber that they plan to make changes.

Tensions are running high between Republicans in the House and Senate as they navigate the budget reconciliation process to pass a comprehensive bill addressing tax reform, immigration, and energy policy.

According to sources, the House Budget Committee recently held a briefing to strategize on how to sell their bill to skeptical Senate Republicans. The meeting was seen as an effort to preemptively address potential criticisms and ensure unity within the party.

The House GOP is pushing back against the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate that the bill would add over $2 trillion to the deficit over a decade. They argue that the bill’s cost would be offset by savings from mandatory spending reforms and projected economic growth of 2.6% over 10 years.

House Republicans are determined to emphasize the strengths of their bill, which includes permanent extensions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, new tax relief for seniors, and funding for border security and ICE. They also aim to roll back green energy subsidies and implement Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied recipients.

In response to concerns from Senate Republicans about potential negative impacts of the bill, the House GOP has crafted specific talking points. They insist that the bill will not endanger rural hospitals, reinvest funds in healthcare access, and ensure that all vehicles contribute to the Highway Trust Fund.

Despite the House’s efforts to defend their bill, Senate Republicans are pushing for deeper spending cuts and other modifications. Senators like Josh Hawley and Ron Johnson have voiced reservations about the House bill, indicating that they may not support it in its current form.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has acknowledged the need for compromise and unity within the party to pass the bill in the Senate. He stressed the importance of reaching a consensus that can secure at least 51 votes.

The House Budget Committee, led by Chair Jodey Arrington, remains committed to their version of the bill. Arrington has defended the significant spending cuts in the bill as necessary for fiscal reform, while acknowledging that there is always room for improvement.

As the House GOP continues to press the Senate to accept their version of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ bill, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain. With competing priorities and concerns within the party, reaching a compromise that can pass both chambers will be a challenging task.