The House on July 2 began debating on President Trump’s legislative package of Medicaid cuts and tax deductions. But the Republican leaders are struggling to create a victory path due to their lack of majority in Congress. In this article, you will learn more about this bill and how it has led to an unsettled state in the House.
Mike Johnson Says They Can’t Make Everyone Happy
Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, “We can’t make everyone 100% happy. It’s impossible.” This is when both public and private influence began and a summertime storm caused problems for lawmakers to return to Washington, D.C. in a short holiday week. Now, Trump is urging lawmakers to send him the bill to sign into law by July 4. But he also acknowledged the flexibility of the timeline.
R-Louisiana, Johnson, and the other leaders jointly said they would quickly work to meet their self-imposed timeline by approving the Senate version. The same version which Vice President JD somehow pushed with a tie-breaking vote on July 1.
The GOP Leadership Statement
The GOP Leadership’s statement said the following: “Republicans were elected to do exactly what this bill achieves: secure the border, make tax cuts permanent, unleash American energy dominance, restore peace through strength, cut wasteful spending, and return to a government that puts Americans first.”
The path is narrow enough making it still possible for changes to take place. The House approved the first version of the Bill on a 215-214 vote back in May. After four days of voting and marathon debate, the Senate approved that version in a 51-50 vote July 1. Three Republicans voted no with Vance breaking the tie.
Trump Spent July 2 Out of the Public Eye
There was no event scheduled for Trump on July 2 and was absent from the public eye that day. In the morning, Trump, vice president JD Vance, Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, centers for Medicare, and other Republican lawmakers crowded at the White House. GOP lawmakers including South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson was also present. He later described these talks as “very productive”.
Many House Republicans Who Preferred Their Version of the Bill Remained Opposed to the Senate Version
Several House Republicans who preferred their version of the Bill continued to oppose the Senate version. Harris is head of the House Freedom Caucus which looks to cut federal spending. Their concerns partly led to Johnson and GOP leaders delaying the vote and working behind the scenes to get support.
A hesitant Republican who voted yes on July 1, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the House must recognize “we’re not there yet” and make improvements before sending it back to the Senate. Murkowski also said, “Because we have two options here, right? Kill it and it’s gone.”
Will the House Ever Vote?
House Freedom Caucus members and vigilant lawmakers slowly abandoned a meeting near the House chamber. During his way out, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina, said he and others have some lasting concerns on many bill provisions. Norman said, “There won’t be any vote until we can get satisfied. There’s about 25 of us.”
He further added, “Look, I got problems with all this bill. I got trouble with all of it.” Norman, who earlier said his vote was undecided, said there are options to revise the legislation and send it back to the senate which may cause another debate. He also said, “Or, get our questions answered and support it.”
House Votes on Rule for Trump Legislative Package
The House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters heading into votes that it’s been a long and productive day. This is after a procedural vote being held open for hours so that the leaders can negotiate with an unconvinced lawyer. He said, “We’re in a good place right now. This is the legislative process,””This is exactly how I think the framers intended for it to work.”
Trump Cheers the House Vote
Trump is cheering the House vote from the White House on social media. He posted the following extending support to the Republicans, “The USA is on track to break every record on GROWTH,”“Go Republicans, beat the Crooked Democrats tonight! PRO-GROWTH Tax Cuts never fail.”
A House Holdout Explains His Vote
Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, explained why he didn’t vote on the rule though Speaker Mike Johnson continues to intimidate. He writes, “I came to Washington to help rein in our national debt.” Congress leaders are agreeing to match the number of tax cuts with the number of spending cuts and “the Senate broke the House framework,” he added.
He further added, “Ultimately, this is an issue of morality.” “Abiding by our word is the only thing we have; therefore, as the bill currently stands, I voted against the rule.” He is giving this reason as to why he didn’t vote on the rule.
House Keeps the Vote Open to Pressurize Lawmakers
Around four House Republicans have voted against this rule of Trump’s legislative package, which could be enough to kill it. But they are still able to change their votes before voting is officially over. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, GOP Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, and Keith Self of Texas have all voted no preliminary.
Nine Republicans didn’t vote and out of them, Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Andy Harris of Maryland announced they will vote against the rule. This calls for accepting Senate changes to the bill without adjustments. But House leaders can only lose three votes to keep the bill alive for a final vote.
House Delays Calling Vote on Trump Bill for More Negotiations
The House votes came to a halt in mid-afternoon due to the negotiations of Republican leaders with possible holdouts against Trump’s legislative package. The House scheduled two procedural votes before getting to an important vote on the rule that can govern debate on the bill. But lawmakers held one of these votes (a technical amendment to the rule) open an hour longer than scheduled.
Rep. Keith Firmly Opposes the Bill
Though some fiscal conservatives are planting the seeds for an eventual vote for Trump’s tax bill, GOP Rep. Keith Self of Texas is soundly opposing it. He wrote in a post on X “The Senate’s version of the bill “is morally and fiscally bankrupt.” He also presented a list of policy points that he disagrees with in the bill.
Rep. Warren Davidson Supports Senate Version of the Bill
Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio, one of the two Republicans voting against the House Version of Trump’s legislative package, said he will support the Senate changes pending in the House. “Republicans were fighting for many policies for various years and Trump got the job done”, Davidson said this on his social media.
Norman Says Trump Will Answer Questions About the Bill
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina, who is doubting Trump’s legislative package said that the President told him and other lawmakers at the White House things they didn’t know about the bill. Norman said, “He just wants to answer every question,” “That’s what he’s good at.”
Norman is one of the two Republicans who voted against the structure for debating the bill in the Rules Committee. The rule signalled the Full House to vote on the Senate version of the bill without making any changes. The House also held open a procedural vote for five hours so that the talks can continue before a vote on the rule.
Concluding Remarks
The House currently faces deep division over Trump’s huge tax bill. GOP leaders are having a hard time getting enough backing because of divisions within the party and delays in the process. Some Republicans support the Senate version, but significant holdouts like Rep. Keith Self and others keep saying that it is wrong morally and financially. The House is in a situation of political uncertainty since the vote is still open and the pressure is on.
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