Senate Republicans Push for Trump's Tax Plan Amid Rising Concerns and Last-Minute Revisions
Senate Republicans are advancing Trump's tax plan, facing hurdles including Medicaid cuts and a potential delay, while aiming for a July 4 deadline.
Vote on Trump tax bill risks delay as Thune battles Senate holdouts
Washington Examiner
Blow to GOP tax bill as parliamentarian rules against Medicaid savings
Washington Examiner
Overview
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune is preparing for initial votes on Trump's tax plan, targeting a July 4 deadline despite ongoing challenges.
- Republicans propose a $40,000 SALT cap for five years, differing from the House's 10-year plan, amid concerns over healthcare funding.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledges potential delays in passing Trump's tax plan as some Republicans express hesitations.
- Senate Republicans are revising the bill to address concerns over Medicaid cuts that could affect millions and threaten rural hospital funding.
- With narrow majorities, Republicans need near-unanimous support to pass the tax plan, facing opposition from Democrats and internal disagreements.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Republican efforts around Trump's bill as fraught with internal conflict and uncertainty. They highlight struggles for consensus, shifting deadlines, and concerns over fiscal implications, suggesting skepticism about the party's unity and effectiveness. The tone reflects a critical perspective on the legislative process and its challenges.
GOP senators and medical providers fear that proposed Medicaid changes, specifically the provider tax cuts, would severely harm rural hospitals.
The Senate parliamentarian ruled that a key Medicaid provider tax overhaul in President Trump's tax cut and spending bill does not comply with Senate procedural rules.
Democrats are united in opposition to the Republican president's bill, stating that it would devastate GOP plans.
Over 80 million Americans utilize the Medicaid program, which has significantly grown since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans are facing challenges in reaching a consensus on the provider tax and devising a solution to the health care problem created by their package.
The House-passed bill is projected to add $2.4 trillion to $4.2 trillion to the national debt and US budget deficit over the next 10 years.
Articles (19)
Center (8)
"…Senate Republican leaders are hoping to start voting on their massive domestic policy bill on Saturday, even as major pieces of it have yet to be finalized."
NBC News·17d·"…The legislation runs into obstacles in the Senate, with changes that risk bleeding GOP support in the House."
CBS News·17d·"…The guidance Thursday from the parliamentarian is rarely ignored, and it forces GOP leaders to consider options."
ABC News·18d·"…Senate Republicans hit a major setback in their race to pass a massive tax and spending package on Thursday, as a chamber official ruled against a key provision to get the conference on board to vote for the plan by week's end."
NPR·18d·"…The decision from the chamber's leading rules expert deals with proposed Republican changes to Medicaid, the federal health insurance for lower-income families, which has been one of the main battlegrounds in debate over the legislation."
USA TODAY·18d·"…The outcome is a setback as Senate Republicans hoped to get votes underway by week’s end to meet Trump’s Fourth of July deadline for passage."
Associated Press·18d·"…The GOP wrangling over the legislation, which Senate leaders are positioning for a vote in the next few days, comes amid a string of polls showing it is deeply unpopular."
USA TODAY·19d·"…The proposed changes to Medicaid would have devastating consequences, particularly for those in small towns and rural communities, where Medicaid is often the primary source of health care coverage."
Associated Press·19d·FAQ
Senate Republicans face hurdles including internal disagreements, concerns over Medicaid cuts that could affect millions and rural hospital funding, differing proposals on the SALT cap compared to the House, and opposition from Democrats, all while needing near-unanimous support due to their narrow majorities.
The July 4 deadline is a self-imposed goal by Senate Republicans and President Trump to pass the tax plan before the Independence Day holiday; however, both President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have acknowledged the possibility of delays beyond this date due to unresolved issues in the legislation.
The Senate Republicans propose a $40,000 SALT (state and local tax) cap for five years, contrasting with the House's plan which proposes a 10-year SALT cap, reflecting a difference in duration and possibly affecting taxpayers differently.
Budget reconciliation is a fast-track legislative procedure that allows the Senate to pass tax, spending, and debt limit changes with a simple majority vote, bypassing the usual 60-vote filibuster threshold; Republicans are using this process to advance Trump's tax plan amid their slim majorities.
The Senate Republicans are revising the tax bill to address concerns over Medicaid cuts that could negatively impact millions of people and threaten funding for rural hospitals, which has been a significant point of contention within the party.
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