The White House’s dream of securing major Republican legislative victories on Capitol Hill before the midterms is hitting a wall against a deeply divided Congress. Tackling key GOP priorities such as economic and healthcare policies is already a significant challenge, with deep factional divisions among Republicans. President Donald Trump’s insistence on taking a unilateral approach, without compromise, has only escalated tensions within his own party. His recent confrontation with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has further exacerbated these internal conflicts, undermining any hope of unity. Meanwhile, with the expiration of some Affordable Care Act subsidies approaching, the lack of a clear legislative pathway has left many Republicans skeptical about investing political capital in a stalled agenda. Speaker Mike Johnson has acknowledged the need for unity, but the pressure from within and the looming midterms have made it increasingly difficult for the GOP to pass any major legislation.
Efforts to pass another party-line legislative bill have been met with resistance, as Senate Republicans have spurned Trump’s demand to eliminate the filibuster, leaving the reconciliation process as the only viable option. However, the prospect of another reconciliation bill has faced pushback from key figures such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who warned against another one-sided health care bill that might undermine efforts to work with Democrats on other issues. Many Republicans, including retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, have expressed concerns that another reconciliation bill could lead to the same political backlash that accompanied the failed 2017 health care repeal attempt.
Meanwhile, Trump’s public push for a new bill that would send “THE MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PEOPLE” has prompted skepticism among GOP members, including Rep. Don Bacon, who believes it is unlikely to be passed before the December 31 deadline. Senate Majority Leader John Thune remains open to a bipartisan health care deal but has not ruled out party-line approaches. However, the Senate Budget Committee is leaning towards advancing a budget resolution in early next year to unlock the power of a second reconciliation bill. Despite the high stakes, many Republicans are growing frustrated with the lack of progress and the inefficiencies in the legislative process.
As the midterms approach, the GOP faces a critical juncture. The internal divisions, combined with the external pressures of the election cycle, suggest that any major legislative push will be fraught with challenges. The outcome of these developments could significantly impact the political landscape in the coming months, with the potential for both legislative achievements and further internal strife within the Republican Party.