House Speaker Mike Johnson is fervently working towards passing the Republicans’ comprehensive domestic policy package in the House before Memorial Day. Despite internal disagreements within the GOP that have stalled progress in the influential House Budget Committee, Johnson remains committed to the original deadline.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Johnson stated, “The Budget Committee will reconvene this evening to advance the bill. Our goal is to move it to the Rules Committee by midweek and subsequently to the House floor by the week’s end to meet our Memorial Day target.”
Challenges and Controversies
However, the megabill faced a setback when it failed to pass the Budget Committee in a recent vote. Five Republicans joined forces with the entire Democratic cohort on the panel to oppose the bill.
One contentious issue revolves around the bill’s provision on work requirements for Medicaid recipients, scheduled to commence in 2029—after President Donald Trump’s second term concludes. Some conservative members are advocating for an earlier implementation of these work requirements, citing the importance of promoting employment among able-bodied adults. Johnson acknowledged this viewpoint, emphasizing the necessity for states to update their Medicaid systems to ensure effective enforcement of the requirements.
Additional Hurdles
Another obstacle comes from a group of Republicans representing high-tax states, advocating for a significant increase in the state and local tax deduction cap. This stance poses yet another challenge for Johnson and his team as they navigate through the bill’s complexities.
Meanwhile, President Trump is urging party unity and criticizing the bill’s Republican detractors as “GRANDSTANDERS,” urging them to cease discussions and expedite the bill’s passage.
Despite these hurdles, Johnson remains resolute in his efforts to push the megabill forward and achieve the Memorial Day deadline.
