House Republicans face down Dem attacks, protests to pull all-nighter on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
House Republicans are enduring Democratic attacks and protests as they work through the night to advance President Donald Trump's comprehensive budget bill. The Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Agriculture Committees are engaged in marathon sessions, facing disruption from protesters against Medicaid cuts, which Democrats argue will harm millions of Americans. Republicans contend their focus is on reducing waste and fraud in Medicaid, while Democrats accuse them of gutting essential welfare programs. The SALT deduction cap and SNAP reforms are also contentious issues being debated, with tensions running high between committee members. House and Senate Republicans are using budget reconciliation to push the bill forward, with plans to advance it for a full House vote by Friday.
Context:
House Republicans are enduring Democratic attacks and protests as they work through the night to advance President Donald Trump's comprehensive budget bill. The Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Agriculture Committees are engaged in marathon sessions, facing disruption from protesters against Medicaid cuts, which Democrats argue will harm millions of Americans. Republicans contend their focus is on reducing waste and fraud in Medicaid, while Democrats accuse them of gutting essential welfare programs. The SALT deduction cap and SNAP reforms are also contentious issues being debated, with tensions running high between committee members. House and Senate Republicans are using budget reconciliation to push the bill forward, with plans to advance it for a full House vote by Friday.
Dive Deeper:
Three key committees, namely the Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Agriculture Committees, are holding extended meetings to advance portions of Trump's budget bill, facing protests and disruptions, especially from those opposing Medicaid cuts.
Protesters, including wheelchair-bound individuals, were arrested for disrupting the Energy & Commerce Committee's budget markup, as Democrats warned that the Republican proposal could result in significant Medicaid service cuts affecting millions.
Republicans argue their bill aims to reduce Medicaid system waste and fraud while maintaining resources for the truly vulnerable, countering Democrats' claims of essential service cuts.
Tensions are high over the SALT deduction cap, with heated exchanges between committee members like Beth Van Duyne and Tom Suozzi, highlighting the political sensitivity of increasing the cap from $10,000 to $30,000.
The Agriculture Committee debates the impact of SNAP reforms, with Democrats accusing Republicans of targeting food assistance, while Republicans emphasize measures to prevent SNAP abuse and support agricultural initiatives.
Democrats are attempting to preserve Affordable Care Act tax credits and make changes to the SALT deduction cap, but face resistance from Republicans, who are focused on advancing the broader GOP agenda through budget reconciliation.
House Republicans are aiming to push the full budget bill to a House-wide vote by Friday, utilizing the budget reconciliation process to bypass Democratic opposition and advance Trump's priorities on taxes, immigration, and energy.