House Republicans recently pushed through a significant tax and spending bill that reflects the current priorities of the party and President Trump. The vote took place early this week and was largely influenced by Trump’s personal involvement, underscoring his continuing sway over the party.
The legislation, which totals around $3.8 trillion in tax cuts and $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, also allocates about $300 billion for defense and border security. A major part of the spending cuts comes from changes to the Medicaid program, affecting health care for low-income and disabled individuals. New work requirements will be imposed on certain adults, and these changes could potentially leave around 3.6 million people without health care coverage, according to a preliminary estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. The bill also proposes cuts to food assistance programs and seeks to increase the nation’s borrowing authority by $4 trillion to prevent a debt default later this summer.
Despite a narrow majority in the House, the bill passed with only two Republicans voting against it and one voting present. This success was attributed to Trump’s influence, as he rallied support among party members who had been divided between moderate and conservative factions. One House chairman noted that while Speaker Johnson had done much of the work, it was Trump who helped seal the deal.
The bill did not undergo major changes during the voting process. House Republicans were wary of alienating Trump or their voter base, fearing repercussions such as primary challenges or negative social media attention.
This legislation reveals the current state of the Republican Party, which is heavily influenced by Trump. He has focused on renewing tax cuts from 2017 that are set to expire soon, rather than pursuing larger reforms to mandatory spending programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The bill includes specific tax cuts aimed at working-class voters, but many of these provisions will end when Trump’s term concludes, while other spending cuts are permanent.
As the bill moves to the Senate, changes are expected. Some Senate Republicans may resist the Medicaid cuts, and there are concerns about the bill’s overall approach to spending. Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the need for any legislation to address the significant increase in the deficit.
Democrats are already mobilizing against the bill, highlighting the potential harm of Medicaid cuts in swing districts. Protests have erupted in various areas, aiming to sway public opinion against Republicans who support the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that this vote could jeopardize Republican control of the House.
Overall, this legislation is likely to be a pivotal issue in the upcoming midterm elections, with Democrats hoping to replicate the backlash they experienced in 2018 after previous attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare.