House Republicans are intensifying efforts this week to advance President Trump’s legislative goals.
The House’s Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax issues, and the Energy and Commerce Committee, which manages Medicaid policies, are set to start discussions, leading to votes on elements of the “Big Beautiful Building” initiative at 2 p.m., launching a series of extensive hearings.
However, there are still significant challenges. The Ways and Means Committee hasn’t come to a consensus regarding the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, a major point of contention in the GOP Mega bill. Meanwhile, some conservative members of the Energy and Commerce Committee have expressed dissatisfaction with the Medicaid reform proposals.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) aims to push through the complete legislative package filled with Trump’s domestic policy priorities by the end of the week. It’s a tight timeline that hinges on the outcomes of the two committee discussions.
This week, lawmakers will also review various law enforcement initiatives in honor of National Police Week. Many in the Senate are proactively voting for numerous candidates put forth by Trump for his administration.
House Ways and Means Prepares Markup – SALT Deductions Remain Unresolved
The Ways and Means Committee plans to begin marking up significant portions of the law on Tuesday afternoon, even as they tackle some contentious subjects.
Partial text of the Trump Agenda bill was released on Friday, which includes a temporary increase in child tax credits and lays out requirements for accessing federal health benefits, with pass-through credits for eligible business revenues rising from 20% to 22%.
Notably, the bill lacks details on how the GOP intends to approach the SALT deduction cap, a critical point for constructing the Mega bill. Additionally, it leaves out information regarding Trump’s campaign promises, such as tax relief on overtime and the elimination of taxes on Social Security.
A more detailed version of the bill is expected to be made available before Tuesday’s markup.
“It’s common for a revised version to be introduced to modify the initial proposal,” a spokesperson for the panel mentioned.
Yet, uncertainty remains about how the committee will handle the SALT deduction cap; moderate Republicans from high-tax states like New York and California are advocating for an increase in their deduction caps, while some budget-conscious members oppose that move.
The SALT Caucus is scheduled to meet with House GOP leadership and the Ways and Means Committee on Monday morning, following last week’s rejection of a proposal to raise the deduction cap to $30,000.
“This isn’t merely a debate. It risks undermining President Trump’s significant bill,” commented a New York Republican.
Members of the SALT Caucus are committed to pushing for a higher deduction cap, declaring, “No SALT. No deals. It’s true.”
Medicaid Restrictions Before House GOP Markup
The Energy and Commerce Committee revealed a key component of the Trump Agenda bill late Sunday night.
The bill establishes new limits for Medicaid beneficiaries, introducing work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks, including mandates like community service or working a minimum of 80 hours.
However, notably absent are federal spending caps or cuts in federal agreements with states related to Medicaid—elements that moderate Republicans are particularly concerned about as they work to protect social safety net programs.
The bill’s guidelines appear to align more with moderate Republicans pushing for Medicaid reforms, potentially frustrating hardline conservatives who oppose major changes to the social safety net as a solution to rising deficits.
“Leadership seemed to expect a revision that would be less offensive to gain some consideration, let alone pass,” remarked Sen. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the Freedom Caucus, in response to the released text.
The committee has been tasked with identifying at least $880 billion in cuts. In a recent discussion with Republicans, committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY.) indicated they found substantial savings—over $900 billion.
But this bill isn’t a complete win for moderates. It prohibits Medicaid from reimbursing community health providers, which offer family planning and abortion services—a provision that some centrists oppose.
Additionally, it restricts Medicaid funds from being used for gender-affirming care for minors.
House Observes National Police Week
The House is set to deliberate on several law enforcement-related proposals in the coming days to commemorate National Police Week.
The measures include one aimed at requiring the Attorney General to compile reports on violent assaults against law enforcement officials, and another expanding the ability of qualified officers to carry concealed weapons in certain areas, including school zones.
Additionally, the House is considering legislation to support organizations that assist families of fallen law enforcement members, as well as a resolution expressing support for local law enforcement.
“House Republicans will continue to advocate for our men and women who face rising challenges and threats to their safety,” stated House Majority Leader Steve Scullies (R-La.) on the observation deck.
Senate Considers Nominations
The Senate has a series of votes scheduled for various Trump nominations this week.
The week will start with a vote on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to advance Monica Crowley’s appointment as Chief of State Department Protocol. Crowley, a former Fox News contributor, faced accusations of plagiarism in her earlier work.
Additional nominations include Reed Rubinstein as the legal counsel for the Department of State, Troy Mainek for Air Force Secretary, and Michael Rigas as deputy director.
