House Republicans are escalating their push to convince the Senate to accept their version of President Donald Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill,’ a sprawling legislative package that aims to reshape tax policy, immigration, and energy regulations. Despite Senate Republicans’ intentions to modify the proposal, the House GOP is leveraging internal communications and messaging strategies to counter potential criticisms, particularly around Medicaid work requirements, green energy subsidies, and rural hospital funding. As the Senate debates the bill, tensions simmer between the two chambers, with House leaders emphasizing the need for speed in getting the legislation to Trump’s desk before July 4th.
The bill, which passed the House in a contentious late-night session, includes provisions to extend Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, provide new tax relief for seniors, eliminate taxes on tipped and overtime wages, and reallocate funding to the U.S.-Mexico border and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, it also targets Biden-era green energy subsidies, such as the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants and sustainable jet fuel projects, which have drawn scrutiny from Senate Republicans. The House has also introduced Medicaid work requirements for certain recipients, which have prompted criticism from some senators, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who warned of potential harm to rural hospitals in his state.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged that while there is discontent over certain aspects of the bill, a compromise is necessary to secure passage. ‘Failure is not an option,’ Thune said, emphasizing the need to reach a consensus among Senate Republicans to move forward. Nonetheless, some senators, like Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, argue that the House bill does not go far enough in cutting spending, highlighting the ongoing tension between the chambers as they navigate the complex reconciliation process.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been a central figure in pushing the bill, with his allies in the House GOP working to counter Senate criticisms. The internal House GOP document circulated to aides includes specific talking points aimed at countering the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) deficit projections. The document asserts that the bill’s savings, including mandatory spending reforms and economic growth assumptions, would result in a net positive impact on the federal budget, despite the CBO’s more pessimistic estimates. As the Senate continues its deliberations, the House GOP remains determined to ensure their version of the bill is enacted, aligning with Trump’s broader fiscal policies and reducing the risk of legislative stalemate.