The Wheels Come Off Trump’s Attempt To Pass A ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

This week, the Trump White House and Republicans in Congress faced significant confusion regarding Trump’s fiscal agenda. Intraparty tensions escalated over how to implement substantial cuts to Medicaid, as far-right House Republicans insisted on a budget bill that does not increase the federal deficit. President Trump added to the confusion by altering his push for an extension of the 2017 tax cuts, while Senate Republicans expressed uncertainty about the bill being crafted in the House.

The main obstacle remained the Republican dilemma over discreetly reducing Medicaid. House Republicans sought $880 billion in cuts over a decade, mainly from Medicaid, a program supporting over 70 million low-income and disabled Americans. Proposed cost-saving measures include work requirements, stricter eligibility checks, and restrictions on services for undocumented immigrants.

Other options considered by Republicans, like reducing federal funding for the Medicaid expansion and implementing per capita caps, could lead to millions losing health coverage, as per a new CBO estimate. Despite the push for cuts, some vulnerable House Republicans publicly rejected these options due to potential unpopularity in their constituencies.

Critics within the Republican Party, including MAGA influencers like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon, raised concerns about the impact of Medicaid cuts on Trump’s supporters. As Republicans navigate these internal disagreements, House committees are working towards a reconciliation bill. However, hardliners demand adherence to strict spending cuts, warning against adding to the deficit.

Although House GOP leadership and Trump remain optimistic about progress, Senate Republicans raised concerns about the House’s approach to shrinking federal spending. Disagreements persist, especially regarding Medicaid cuts, with Senators Collins, Murkowski, and Hawley opposing deep cuts due to their constituents’ reliance on the program. Both House and Senate Republicans must eventually reach a consensus on the cuts to pass the reconciliation package.