The Republican push for the “big, beautiful bill” is hitting potholes as lawmakers struggle with critical issues like Medicaid, food aid, and transportation funding. Lawmakers are impatient for more details on plans from leaders, including lifting caps on deductions for state and local taxes.
Key challenges include Medicaid, where House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a deepening challenge in balancing Republican voters’ reliance on the program with blue-state Republicans’ push to boost the SALT cap. Vulnerable House Republicans are raising red flags about potential spending cuts.
The White House has rejected a proposal to scale back federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, throwing a wrench into plans to reach a $230 billion in spending cuts. Transportation funding is also being debated, with a proposed annual fee on passenger cars being scrapped.
Federal pensions and carried interest are also areas of contention, with lawmakers opposing proposals to slash retirement benefits and kill a tax break favored by Wall Street.
The GOP megabill will undergo multiple markups this week, including House Judiciary, Oversight, Financial Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is cracking down on members who oppose the president’s trade strategy, which includes imposing blanket global tariffs.
Source: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/04/30/congress/gop-reverses-move-to-consolidate-antitrust-at-doj-00319597