House Republicans are facing significant challenges in reaching a consensus on how to achieve $1.5 trillion in budget cuts over the next decade, with contentious debates centering around Medicaid reforms and tax provisions. Key committees, such as the Energy and Commerce and Agriculture Committees, are struggling to propose acceptable savings, particularly with the $880 billion target for Medicaid, leading to concerns about potential impacts on coverage. There is also tension over tax credits, state and local tax deductions, and funding for programs like food stamps, with some Republicans wary of the political repercussions ahead of the 2026 elections. Speaker Mike Johnson's goal to pass the bill by Memorial Day is ambitious, but delays and entrenched disagreements make this timeline increasingly uncertain, despite past successes in overcoming obstacles. As various committees work on their respective portions of the bill, the overall progress is hindered by fundamental disagreements and the intricate process of aligning all legislative components before a final House vote can occur.

House Republicans are divided on how to implement $1.5 trillion in budget cuts, with Medicaid overhaul and tax reforms as major sticking points, causing delays in drafting the bill.

The Energy and Commerce Committee faces a daunting task of finding $880 billion in savings, primarily from Medicaid changes, but concerns over federal contribution reductions and potential impacts on coverage are causing hesitancy among members.

Despite some committees like Homeland Security and Armed Services making progress on their portions, the overall legislative process is slowed by unresolved issues in tax credits and state and local tax deductions, particularly affecting high-cost states.

The Agriculture Committee's debate over requiring state contributions to the food stamps program is another point of contention, with many Republicans opposing the shift in funding responsibility from federal to state governments.

The Senate's lower savings target of $4 billion offers a potential fallback for House Republicans, but achieving the ambitious $1.5 trillion goal remains challenging due to the need to balance conservative demands with broader legislative feasibility.

Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to have the bill passed by Memorial Day is complicated by the extensive committee work required to reconcile different components, a task made more difficult by partisan disagreements and the complexity of the proposed cuts.

While some progress is made in committees like Judiciary and Financial Services, the overall uncertainty and potential for political fallout contribute to a cautious approach among swing-district Republicans, mindful of the electoral implications.