President Donald Trump is set to visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday to address House Republicans as they work out their differences over a sweeping tax cut and immigration bill. The bill, which has been met with resistance from deficit hawks and centrists alike, carries a significant price tag of $3.3 trillion over the next decade.
Trump’s push for Republican unity comes ahead of a planned floor vote later this week, where lawmakers must navigate their differences on issues such as Medicaid work requirements, green energy tax credits, and state and local tax deductions. The bill proposes tripling the current cap on state and local tax deductions, with some lawmakers pushing for even larger increases.
House Republicans narrowly advanced the bill in a rare weekend vote last Sunday, but just barely, as GOP leaders promise more negotiations ahead. Critics argue that the bill’s new spending and tax cuts are front-loaded, while the measures to offset the cost are back-loaded.
Speaker Mike Johnson, the Republican leader in the House, indicated he wants to impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries “as soon as possible,” but acknowledged it may take states longer to change their systems. Democrats have denounced the proposed cuts, saying they would “take health care away from millions of Americans at this very moment.”
The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with negotiations set to continue into the week. If passed, it would then move to the Senate, where Republicans are also eyeing changes. With time running out, Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill is seen as a crucial attempt to build momentum for his sweeping agenda.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/republicans-tax-cuts-house-trump-johnson-border-f03b7e9cc3015ef9a0ece37b76bc5f66