The House is getting ready for a long overnight session as Republicans push forward with the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” after the House Rules Committee advanced a revised version of the megabill supporting President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. The committee vote was 8-4 after a marathon hearing, setting the stage for action on the House floor with final passage potentially happening in the wee hours of the morning. Changes were made to several provisions of the bill, including adjustments to the timeline for when Medicaid work requirements would come into effect. Texas Rep. Chip Roy missed the committee’s votes, but the key procedural step was necessary before moving the legislation to a final vote.
On the full House floor, Democrats are already attempting to stall the bill’s progress by forcing a vote to adjourn. The House floor is expected to be a hub of activity throughout the night as the bill inches closer to passage. This slow progression follows a meeting between Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and members of the House Freedom Caucus to garner support for the bill. Despite earlier negotiations breaking down, the President emphasized the urgency of passing the bill quickly. However, the GOP is divided on certain aspects of the bill, such as Medicaid work requirements and state and local tax deductions. These sticking points still need to be ironed out before the bill can move forward.
The bill will face further challenges in the Senate, where Republicans are already indicating their intent to make changes. Some of the major modifications in the 42-page amendment include the start date for new Medicaid work requirements being moved up to “no later than December 31, 2026,” as opposed to the original 2029 start date. This change is a victory for hardliners advocating for deeper spending cuts in the bill. Additionally, there is now an incentive for states not to expand Medicaid, with Medicaid expansion states receiving increased state-directed payments. The SALT deduction has been raised to $40,000 for incomes under $500,000, a significant change from the previous $10,000 cap. This adjustment aims to appease blue-state Republicans who had pushed for lifting or raising the cap on these deductions.
Other alterations include renaming MAGA Accounts to “Trump” Accounts, expediting cuts to clean energy credits, appropriating $12 billion to states for border security costs, and delisting silencers from the National Firearms Act. These changes are aimed at recouping costs and addressing various concerns within the bill. As the bill progresses through the House and potentially the Senate, further negotiations and adjustments are expected to take place to ensure its passage. The road ahead may be bumpy, but supporters of the bill remain optimistic about its eventual success.
