Trump aims to convince House Republicans on ‘big, beautiful bill’ vote
President Donald Trump is facing a major hurdle in his second term as he tries to pass the much-debated “big, beautiful bill” through the House of Representatives. The challenge lies in convincing skeptical House Republicans to throw their support behind the bill, a task that is proving to be quite difficult.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is eager to push the bill through before the Memorial Day recess, but it seems unlikely that the bill has enough votes to pass at this time. Issues such as state and local tax deductions (SALT), Medicaid work requirements, additional health care costs for states, and overall spending are still unresolved.
The math is crucial in this situation, as House Republicans can only afford to lose three members and still have the bill approved. Johnson is aiming to hold a vote as early as Thursday, possibly even tomorrow, to expedite the process.
To rally support for the bill, President Trump is planning to visit Capitol Hill and meet with Republicans for an hour and a half this morning. The hope is that his presence and persuasion will sway hesitant members to back the bill.
The House Rules Committee has scheduled a meeting at 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday to prepare the package for the floor. This early meeting time is strategic, as it allows for more time to potentially hold a floor vote later that day. Lawmakers from both sides will propose various amendments during the committee meeting, which could extend throughout the entire day.
The timing of the Rules Committee meeting at 1 a.m. ET may deter some members from attending, as discussing amendments in the early hours of the morning is not ideal. However, it also provides an opportunity for a faster resolution to the bill’s passage.
Overall, the fate of the “big, beautiful bill” hangs in the balance as President Trump and House Republicans work tirelessly to secure enough votes for its approval. The outcome of this domestic challenge will significantly impact the trajectory of Trump’s second term in office.
