The House GOP's proposal for a massive conservative policy overhaul has encountered resistance from Republican lawmakers, highlighting potential hurdles in passing the legislation without Democratic support. With their current majority, Republicans will need near-unanimous support to advance the bill.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., expressed the need for modifications to the proposal before it reaches the floor, reflecting concerns among GOP hardliners. Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., criticized the bill as a 'pathetic' attempt at cutting spending, warning of a potential debt spiral.
House and Senate Republicans are leveraging their majorities to advance President Donald Trump's agenda through the budget reconciliation process. This process streamlines passage of budgetary and fiscal legislation by reducing the Senate's passage threshold to a simple majority.
The Senate Budget Committee has approved its plan, while the House counterpart is set to review its proposal. However, uncertainty looms as some conservative members, including Reps. Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen, have not committed to supporting the bill.
The proposed 45-page bill aims to reduce federal spending by $1.5 trillion over a decade, allocate $300 billion for border security and defense, and raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. Despite calls for deeper spending cuts, concerns persist over the $4.5 trillion earmarked for extending Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
House Ways & Means Committee members, like Chairman Jason Smith and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, have raised apprehensions about the bill's provisions, particularly regarding tax cuts and relief measures. The resolution faces a critical vote on Thursday morning, marking a pivotal moment in advancing Trump's policy priorities.
Republicans aim to utilize reconciliation to address various issues, from law enforcement funding to border security enhancements. While the Senate prioritizes border, energy, and defense matters, disagreements persist over the sequencing of tax-related measures.
Speaker Mike Johnson's dismissal of the Senate's plan underscores internal divisions within the GOP regarding legislative priorities. House leaders are wary of delaying tax cut extensions to a subsequent bill, fearing potential expiration of crucial measures.
