GOP leaders are racing to secure alignment within their ranks to pass a pivotal Senate bill that embodies former President Trump’s domestic agenda before the impending holiday weekend.
Republican leaders face significant challenges as they attempt to unify their caucus behind a substantial Senate bill aimed at implementing key aspects of former President Trump’s agenda, including substantial tax cuts, stricter immigration policies, a pivot from green energy initiatives, and significant reductions in federal health and nutrition programs.
The endeavor comes amid resistance from both moderate Republicans concerned about increased Medicaid cuts and conservatives alarmed by a rise in deficit spending, both measures exacerbated in the Senate’s version of the legislation. This discord poses a critical test for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other GOP leaders who are under pressure to pass the bill, which demands nearly unanimous support given the slim Republican majority in the House.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a prominent member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, voiced skepticism about the bill’s ability to achieve the Trump administration’s objectives. “I know why they’re going to lobby for it, I know why the president’s going to push for it. They want to see it get done, and I get it,” Roy said, but he added, “But I think we have more work to do.”
Tensions are rising as House Republicans must decide between opposing a Senate-modified bill they originally supported or yielding to pressure for party unity and delivering Trump a legislative victory. Some, like a moderate House Republican, have expressed uncertainty about the best course of action. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and have a rough enough landing or something that I’m unable to make [it] to D.C. for a few weeks,” the member said to The Hill.
Former President Trump is actively lobbying Republicans to back the bill, with threats suggesting primary challenges against those who oppose what he calls the “big, beautiful bill.” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who opposed the House version in May, faces a MAGA-backed push to unseat him due to his expected dissent against the Senate bill.
Meanwhile, Democrats remain critical of the legislation, which includes significant cuts in low-income health and nutrition programs to fund tax reductions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) highlighted the bill’s potential impact on constituents, questioning why Republicans, especially those in competitive districts, would support it.
With a self-imposed deadline to pass the bill by July 4, Speaker Johnson acknowledges the ambitious timeline. He stated, “We’ll see what happens in the next 24 hours,” also admitting discontent with the Senate’s modifications but recognizing the necessity to advance without alterations to avoid another Senate vote.
There are doubts regarding the House’s ability to meet this timeline, as expressed by Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) on social media. Stutzman pointed out the Senate’s “unacceptable increases to the national debt and the deficit,” making House passage challenging.
The urgency is evident as the House Rules Committee convened to discuss the bill, marking the beginning of its progression through the House. If cleared, GOP leaders plan to move forward quickly, initiating debates and votes as early as Wednesday morning. However, initial steps face obstacles. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), aligned with the Freedom Caucus, announced opposition to the procedural rule necessary for advancing the bill, threatening a legislative standstill.
The margin is slim, with Republicans allowed only three defections if Democrats uniformly oppose the rule. Already, Harris and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) have committed to voting against it.
Trump, undeterred, hailed the Senate’s passage and urged House Republicans to follow suit. “I thought the Senate was going to be tougher than the House. We got there. We got pretty much what we wanted,” he said, emphasizing the importance of passing the landmark bill.
A senior White House official, stressing urgency, called for the bill’s enactment in its present form by the July 4 deadline to allow Trump to sign it ceremonially on Independence Day. “The end of the road is here. The bill is finished. The bill needs to be sent to the president’s desk and it needs to be done … on or before July 4,” the official stated.
The administration is conducting an extensive effort to galvanize support, utilizing top officials, including Trump, his budget director, and heads of relevant departments, to coordinate the endeavor.
Source: Original article