House GOP Battles To Secure Votes On Tax Bill/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans worked overnight to push Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill toward a vote, amid GOP divisions. Moderate and conservative holdouts threaten the bill’s passage as Democrats vow unified opposition. Trump urges Republicans to act quickly before his July 4th deadline.
Trump Tax Bill Showdown: Quick Look
- Late-night drama: House Republicans struggled to advance Trump’s tax bill in a tense overnight session.
- GOP splits: Moderates balk at Medicaid cuts; conservatives fear runaway debt.
- Trump pressures lawmakers: Urges quick action to meet July 4th signing goal.
- Bill’s scope: $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, new work rules for Medicaid, higher deficit projections.
- Democrats united: Vow total opposition, calling the bill a threat to safety nets.
- Political stakes: Trump warns delay could “COST YOU VOTES!!!” as GOP whips votes.
House GOP Scrambles Late Into Night To Secure Votes For Trump’s Tax Plan
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans worked frantically through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, struggling to muster enough votes to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package before his self-imposed Fourth of July deadline.
Facing deep internal divisions, GOP leaders kept a procedural vote open overnight as several holdout lawmakers refused to commit. With their narrow 220-212 majority, Speaker Mike Johnson couldn’t afford many defections. He had summoned lawmakers back to Washington to try to capitalize on the momentum from the Senate’s narrow passage of the bill just a day earlier.
“Our way is to plow through and get it done,” Johnson declared in the early hours of Thursday, emerging from marathon closed-door meetings. He said more votes were likely later in the morning. “We will meet our July 4th deadline.”
Trump, growing impatient with the delays, posted a late-night message urging Republicans to act: “What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove???” He warned that hesitation could cost lawmakers politically, adding starkly, “COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
Strained GOP Unity
The House had initially hoped for a fast vote to send the legislation to Trump’s desk. But that plan quickly unraveled as both moderates and conservatives balked at rubber-stamping the Senate’s version, which exceeds 800 pages.
Some swing-district Republicans objected to significant cuts to Medicaid, while fiscal conservatives criticized the bill for failing to sufficiently rein in federal spending.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said he was still reviewing the legislation. “I’m still looking at it,” he said. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, echoed similar caution: “I’m still thinking about it.”
Trump and administration officials spent Wednesday meeting with lawmakers at the White House, trying to shore up support. “The president’s message was, ‘We’re on a roll,’” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). “He wants to see this.”
What’s In The Bill?
At the heart of Trump’s legislation are tax cuts totaling roughly $4.5 trillion over the next decade. The bill seeks to permanently extend individual and business tax breaks first passed during Trump’s first term.
It also adds new measures from his 2024 campaign promises, such as letting workers deduct tips and overtime pay, and providing a $6,000 tax deduction for most seniors earning under $75,000 annually.
In addition, the package includes $350 billion for defense and Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown. Republicans plan to partially offset the cost with nearly $1 trillion in cuts to programs like Medicaid and food assistance.
Still, Trump insisted Wednesday the bill would spur economic growth. “Let’s go Republicans and everyone else,” he posted online.
Pressure Campaign From All Sides
Johnson and GOP leaders are banking on loyalty to Trump to keep defectors in line. Lawmakers have watched colleagues punished for crossing the former president.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) recently opposed the bill and quickly faced Trump’s wrath, with calls for a primary challenger. Within days, Tillis announced he would not run for reelection.
Meanwhile, House Democrats stood firmly united in opposition. Speaking outside the Capitol, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned Republicans the bill would gut crucial social safety net programs.
“Hell no!” Jeffries said as Democrats gathered on the Capitol steps. “All we need are four Republicans to join us.”
Democrats framed the cuts as life-threatening, arguing the bill would take health care from millions and reduce food aid for children, seniors and veterans.
Deep GOP Divide
Republicans say their reforms are aimed at focusing social programs on those most in need and eliminating waste.
The bill would impose new work requirements on many Medicaid recipients aged 19 to 64, mandating 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or education. It would also expand work rules for recipients of food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Yet the sharp disagreements among Republicans left the bill’s fate hanging in the balance overnight.
“If there’s four [Republicans voting no], there’s going to be 20 — and it’s going to be a jailbreak,” one House Republican said anonymously.
Looking Ahead
Time remains tight. Many of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts are set to expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn’t act. The Tax Policy Center estimates that under the new legislation, the average tax cut would be $150 for the lowest income earners, $1,750 for the middle quintile, and nearly $11,000 for the top earners.
Johnson said Republicans are determined to finish the job: “We’re working through everybody’s concerns and letting them know this is the best possible product we can produce.”
As dawn approached, lawmakers braced for more votes Thursday—and a potential showdown that could define the fate of Trump’s ambitious tax agenda.
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