As House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., diligently works to finalize a major legislative package integrating significant aspects of President Trump's agenda, many Senate Republicans are already dismissing the proposed legislation before it even reaches completion in the House. This ongoing situation has become a source of frustration among GOP leaders, with Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson describing the scenario as a "sad joke." Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticized the spending cuts included in the proposal, labeling them as "wimpy" and "anemic."
The House package, which Speaker Johnson aims to push through the chamber before the upcoming Memorial Day recess, proposes $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to offset the costs associated with making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent. It also includes temporary tax breaks that Trump campaigned on in 2024, such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. However, some conservatives within the House are advocating for even deeper cuts, proposing a target of $2 trillion. Yet, this figure does not satisfy Senator Johnson, who demands that spending levels revert to their pre-pandemic status.
During a recent press conference, Senator Johnson expressed his belief that it was a miscalculation for Republican leaders to attempt to pass such a large portion of Trump's agenda in a single bill instead of breaking it down into three separate pieces of legislation that could be evaluated individually. He stated that he would oppose the House bill in its current form.
Other notable opponents of the House bill include Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who has vocally criticized the proposed changes to the Medicaid program. In a recent editorial published in the New York Times, Hawley condemned the efforts by House Republicans to restructure the health care program for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. He specifically expressed his discontent with provisions that would introduce co-pays for certain Medicaid recipients and freeze state taxes on hospitals—elements that he considers unacceptable.
"I'm not going to support this bill from the House in its current form," Hawley told CNN on Wednesday. "It’s clear that changes are necessary before it can pass the Senate."
One possible path forward could involve Senators putting their own stamp on whatever legislation the House ultimately passes. "It's a good start," Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, remarked, emphasizing that he anticipates the Senate rules will influence the final version of the bill. Republicans are planning to utilize a budget process feature known as reconciliation to advance the legislation, which would allow them to bypass the threat of a filibuster by Senate Democrats. However, this process comes with its own set of special rules and procedures.
"I'm confident the Senate will have its own ideas, and we will pass a bill here that may differ somewhat from the House version, but we will ultimately need to reconcile those differences," Cornyn stated, choosing not to comment on his GOP colleagues' criticisms of various aspects of the House bill. His focus remains on preventing a multi-trillion dollar tax increase for the American people.
New York Representative Nick LaLota revealed that many of his fellow House Republicans have expressed concerns about voting for a package that could be disregarded by the Senate. These members are advocating for either the Senate to take lead on the legislation or for the Senate and the president to approve any bill they are ultimately asked to support. LaLota referenced the 2017 experience when some Republicans felt burned after Trump labeled a previously supported bill as "mean."
LaLota is part of a negotiating group working with Speaker Johnson to restore a tax break known as SALT (State and Local Tax Deduction), which allows constituents to deduct a larger portion of their state and local taxes. However, any increase in the cap on the SALT deduction would significantly raise the overall cost of the bill. It’s worth noting that this issue is not a primary concern among Senate Republicans.
Additionally, Senator Paul voiced his opposition to the House bill's provision that would raise the nation's borrowing authority by $4 trillion. "I'm not in favor of increasing the debt ceiling by four or five trillion dollars," he stated. "I advocate for a balanced budget and limited constitutional government, so I cannot support that."
As discussions continue, the future of the proposed legislation remains uncertain, with significant hurdles to overcome before it can gain traction in the Senate. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Speaker Johnson's ambitious plans will come to fruition or face further opposition.
