House Speaker Mike Johnson faces an intense 48-hour legislative challenge as he attempts to pass the Senate’s megabill through the House. The bill, which includes significant Medicaid cuts, increased deficit spending, and reduced clean-energy provisions, has drawn strong opposition from within the Republican Party. Despite these challenges, Johnson remains optimistic about delivering the bill before President Donald Trump’s self-imposed July 4 deadline, though severe thunderstorms in Washington may threaten full attendance.
Johnson has been working tirelessly to secure enough support for the bill, meeting with worried lawmakers and caucuses throughout the day. His efforts have included extensive communications with key figures such as John Thune, with whom he has been in contact throughout the process. However, the Senate bill’s provisions have been a point of contention, with House Freedom Caucus members like Rep. Chip Roy and Ralph Norman criticizing the bill for its financial impact and reduced clean-energy incentives. The House moderates are also concerned about the Medicaid cuts, which Johnson has warned could affect Republican prospects in the 2026 elections.
Despite the challenges, some signs of progress have emerged. Rep. Nick LaLota appears to be more likely to support the bill after previously refusing a deal on a state and local tax deduction. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has also expressed a more positive outlook on the bill after a local provider tax tweak in the wraparound amendment for New Jersey and other states. However, the speaker faces the risk of failing to secure enough support, as many Republicans believe the bill could still fail without further changes. Johnson has previously managed to put bills on the floor without the necessary votes, relying on Trump’s pressure to sway holdouts.
Environmental and economic consequences of the bill are also becoming a focal point of the debate. The Senate’s revised bill has been characterized as more lenient towards the energy sector, which could have long-term implications for climate policy and government spending. The weather forecast for Washington remains another wildcard, with over 200 flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport canceled or delayed due to thunderstorms. This may delay the House vote, as attendance could be affected by the weather conditions.
As the House looks to pass the current reconciliation package without further tweaks, Johnson is suggesting there could be future opportunities for lawmakers to get their priorities into party-line packages. In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday night, Johnson said the House will plan to do two more reconciliation bills during this session of Congress, which ends in 2026. This indicates a potential for more legislative activity in the near future, though the current bill remains a high-stakes gamble for Johnson and his leadership.