Latest news with #AmericansforProsperity
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump tests the final limits of his Capitol control
Washington is riveted by a clash between two powerful forces: The hard-fought policy goals of Republican factions versus the political will of President Donald Trump. The GOP is spinning its wheels over the current draft of Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' which doesn't do enough for high-tax-state Republicans, doesn't cut enough for deficit hawks, and goes too far on Medicaid for plenty of others. For Trump, the delay is a buzzkill that could reveal the limits of his power — and a hindrance to scoring the wins he promised on the campaign trail. Trump usually comes out on top in this type of conflict; he easily overcame opposition to re-electing House Speaker Mike Johnson and passing a stopgap government funding bill. Then the GOP Congress deferred still more of its power to Trump on his Cabinet, his tariffs and his unilateral reshaping of the federal government. But the party-line megabill that's now wobbling in the House is an outlier. The 'big beautiful bill' is the first real opportunity for Republican wonks, committee chairs and battleground-seat majority-makers to write a law. Which is why Trump's visit to the House on Tuesday did not have an immediately decisive effect, as he and Johnson seek to muscle through the legislation before the weekend. 'Trying to browbeat us in front of the conference, it wasn't a smart idea,' Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., who is holding out for more state and local tax relief, told Semafor. 'It just made, I think, the [likelihood] of getting this bill passed harder this week.' For Trump, it's perhaps the ultimate test of his second-term power after he scrapped back to the presidency despite two impeachments, a lost election and a phalanx of fellow Republicans who thought the party might move past him. Now he wants the congressional GOP to cast aside their doubts about the legislation in front of them. The SALT deduction? It shouldn't hold up the bill. Changes to Medicaid? As long as they're focused on 'waste, fraud and abuse,' they're good enough for Trump. The growing debt? Something for another day ('zippo' was said about the deficit in Tuesday's meeting, said one House Republican). And he'd definitely like Congress to lift the debt ceiling for a couple of years, no matter how anathema such a vote is to many conservatives. 'You don't want to get to the point where you just become frozen and therefore don't act,' Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Semafor. 'Something will pass, I don't know what it will look like. I can't tell you that I'll vote for it. But I'm looking for a reason to.' Trump's message to House Republicans was that the Senate is going to change the bill anyway – so they might as well pass it now. Trump said 'the time for debating, for negotiating is over,' House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said at an Americans for Prosperity event on Tuesday. Even so, Scalise added, 'we've got members in the room that are still trying to negotiate. … We'd be voting next February if some people got their way.' Still, some House Republicans said they were unmoved on Tuesday. Unfortunately for Trump, they might be easier to convince than stubborn senators. The Senate, famously, killed Trump's Obamacare repeal attempt in 2017 after the House passed it. 'He's the most persuasive. There is no substitute,' Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who used to serve in the House, said of Trump. But 'individual senators maybe tend to be a little more obstinate, and successfully so,' she added. 'Because there's only 100 of us, and we don't have the pressure of running every two years.' Trump's most effective argument on Tuesday was that his party should play team ball. He wants the debt ceiling increased in the party-line legislation to keep away a 'leverage point for the Democrats,' said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. It's an argument that works with plenty of Republicans — but enough of them to pass both chambers of Congress? That remains unclear. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., viewed as the firmest 'no' vote in the Senate GOP, told Semafor that if Republicans 'take the debt limit out, I'll support it.' During Tuesday's meeting, the president pivoted between lighthearted jabs at holdouts and urging those same members to abandon long-held positions in favor of projecting unity. Even as he singled out Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the jokey nature of Trump's House speech charmed members — and he successfully moved some like Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., closer to 'yes.' But the scarcity of detail around issues like Medicaid may have also drawn out some hard decisions. The legislation includes requirements for some beneficiaries to make co-pays and restrict the provider tax that some states use to increase the federal share of certain Medicaid payments. A White House official declined to directly address the provider tax and co-pay proposals, but said that Trump only wants the bill to include work requirements, to bar undocumented immigrants from the program, and end waste, fraud and abuse. There's just one problem with that: The last phrase means different things to everyone. Asked if the bill's current language goes beyond 'waste, fraud and abuse' cited by the president, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said 'yes.' But Burchett told reporters after Trump's remarks that he 'understood' that reductions to the federal share of spending on Medicaid were still on the table. And Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., said Trump 'will not mind' additional changes. The comments were in sharp contrast to those from GOP leaders, who insisted that Trump's primary message was to take the deal on the table – including SALT and Medicaid. 'He feels like, 'We found a really good sweet spot everybody. Let's move forward,'' Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, told Semafor. Is this the moment congressional Republicans reject Trump? We're understandably skeptical. Scalise said he could fill a file with all of the 'obituaries' written about the GOP's party-line bill so far. On the other hand, Trump may underestimate GOP lawmakers' hopes to leave a real mark on this bill — particularly during a Congress that has otherwise been strikingly deferential to the White House. And Republicans know the speaker invented the Memorial Day deadline for passage in the House, so they feel more comfortable using their leverage today than they will in December. Some Republicans saw progress on Tuesday. Dusty Johnson said that though he was 'not suggesting that everything is hunky-dory,' he saw Trump's speech getting the party 'closer to the finish.' And there are plenty of middle-of-the-road members who were already happy with the bill as-is. Changes that win over fiscal hawks would also risk isolating the GOP conference's more silent majority. 'If we cut enough money out of the federal budget right now, which is what some of my friends advocate, you'd create riots in the streets,' Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., told Semafor. As for confidence in the speaker, his fans said he's got a hot hand. After convening his conference with Trump, Mike Johnson visited with Senate Republicans on Tuesday. Many of them left the room impressed. 'He has delivered what was seemingly impossible, three times, with two budget resolutions and a [stopgap spending bill] to the end of the fiscal year,' said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Mike Johnson doesn't want the Senate to change his bill too much, per Axios. Massie thinks his colleagues will cave, CNN reports.
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump supporters find unlikely common ground with blue state congressman at town hall: 'I love it'
ALLENTOWN, PA – President Donald Trump supporters and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) protesters lined the streets outside Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna's town hall in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday night. However, three pro-Trump protesters who wandered inside the half-empty town hall found unlikely common ground with the Silicon Valley Democrat, who is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Before taking the stage for his remarks, Khanna listened to the Trump supporters' concerns and told them about the legislation he proposed last week to codify Trump's executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. Khanna has secured three co-sponsors for his bill, including GOP Reps. Paulina Luna and Andy Biggs. While some Democrat attendees looked on disapprovingly at the polite political debate breaking out at the back of the town hall, Khanna encouraged the Trump supporters to pull up a seat and stick around for his remarks. The Trump supporters did just that. "I love it," Khanna told Fox News Digital ahead of his speech. "I love the First Amendment. They're peaceful. I walked by them. They were very civil. That's democracy, and they're welcome to come in." When Khanna took the stage, he thanked the Trump supporters for their conversation and spotlighted how Americans can find common ground on lowering prescription drug prices amid persistent political violence in the United States. Khanna said he was appreciative of the conversation in light of a terrorist attack on a fertility clinic in California earlier that day, the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro's home last month and the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania last year. Khanna's Allentown event was the first of two "Benefits Over Billionaires" town halls hosted in Republican-held congressional districts in swing state Pennsylvania this weekend. While Khanna was a long way from his home district, he was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Bucks County. Republican Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick, both likely to face competitive challenges to hold their House seats in 2026, represent the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County districts Khanna visited this weekend. "He should be back home in his own district doing a town hall with his constituents, but I think he's campaigning for president most likely, so he's trying to get his name ID out there all across the country," Mackenzie told Fox News Digital before knocking on doors with AFP on Saturday. Mackenzie accused Khanna of "going around, mugging for the cameras, trying to get clicks on social media and trying to boost [his] own profile," as he defended his own accessibility to his Pennsylvania constituents. However, Khanna deflected Mackenzie's accusation about posturing for a political future when pressed by Fox News Digital. "This is about saving the jobs at the Mack plant. This is about making sure we don't cut Medicaid. This is about making sure people aren't getting hurt in this community and around the country," Khanna said. Democrats have railed against proposed Medicaid reform as a key component of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," but Mackenzie said his constituents are more concerned about eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from the program. The California congressman, who spoke with members of the United Auto Workers union ahead of his town hall, called on Mackenzie and Trump to save at least 250 Pennsylvanians' jobs at Mack Trucks in the Lehigh Valley. "The president's trying to bring back manufacturing. How about we just stop manufacturing from leaving? We need action here, and I wanted to highlight that," Khanna said, explaining his trip to Mackenzie's district. While Khanna took aim at Mackenzie for the Mack Truck layoffs, an AFP digital ad truck outside the event spotlighted Mackenzie's support for extending Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as activists doubled down on support for their elected Republican leaders.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP Whip unveils hundreds of coalition endorsements for Trump agenda bill
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer's (R-Minn.) office revealed hundreds of endorsements for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' of President Trump's tax and spending priorities, marking a major push for the legislation as GOP leaders aim to pass it in the lower chamber this week despite ongoing talks over last-minute changes. More than 100 outside groups have signed on to say they support final passage of the overall bill so far. Those range from traditional allies of Republicans like Americans for Prosperity — which is pushing for lower taxes — and March for Life Action, to major corporations like Uber, Chevron, and Verizon. And a website that Emmer's office debuted Tuesday showcases hundreds more endorsements for individual titles of the massive bill, which had input from every House committee. Total endorsements for portions of the bill have reached nearly 1000, according to Emmer's office. Around 450 organizations and counting — to include Ulta Beauty, Lyft, and The Home Depot — have endorsed the tax portion of the bill, which includes extension of individual tax cuts along with provisions to limit taxes on tips and overtime. The coalitions project, first shared with The Hill, showcases how the massive legislation impacts many corners of the American economy and American life. 'House Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill has earned historic support because it delivers real results for every corner of America. From securing the border to cementing the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, this landmark legislation promises a stronger future for all Americans,' Emmer said in a statement. Managing coalition support for legislation is an under-the-radar responsibility for the Whip, who is also tasked with working to convince the razor-thin GOP majority in the House to support the package. While Emmer's office already had logged groups' support for individual portions of the bill, staff worked to gather the partners' support for the full package just since Friday, when all portions of the bill were combined for the House Budget Committee. The legislation faced a speed bump in a failed Budget Committee vote before hardline conservatives relented to support the bill Uncertainty surrounds the final details of the legislation — and the timeline of passing it — as warring factions of the party push for last-minute tweaks. Moderate blue-state Republicans are seeking an increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, currently written as $30,000 in the bill; while deficit hawks want more substantial reforms to Medicaid and faster phase-out of green energy incentives, among other changes. The broad swaths of the bill, though, are set. In addition to extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts and working to deliver on his campaign promises of no taxes on tips or overtime, it phases out green energy incentives passed into law under former President Biden; imposes new work requirements and other restrictions on Medicaid that are estimated to result in millions of people losing coverage under the low-income program; requires states to share the cost of nutrition benefits for the first time; increases the debt limit; and gives funding boosts to the Pentagon and Trump's border and immigration enforcement efforts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
GOP Whip unveils hundreds of coalition endorsements for Trump agenda bill
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer's (R-Minn.) office revealed hundreds of endorsements for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' of President Trump's tax and spending priorities, marking a major push for the legislation as GOP leaders aim to pass it in the lower chamber this week despite ongoing talks over last-minute changes. More than 100 outside groups have signed on to say they support final passage of the overall bill so far. Those range from traditional allies of Republicans like Americans for Prosperity — which is pushing for lower taxes — and March for Life Action, to major corporations like Uber, Chevron, and Verizon. And a website that Emmer's office debuted Tuesday showcases hundreds more endorsements for individual titles of the massive bill, which had input from every House committee. Total endorsements for portions of the bill have reached nearly 1000, according to Emmer's office. Around 450 organizations and counting — to include Ulta Beauty, Lyft, and The Home Depot — have endorsed the tax portion of the bill, which includes extension of individual tax cuts along with provisions to limit taxes on tips and overtime. The coalitions project, first shared with The Hill, showcases how the massive legislation impacts many corners of the American economy and American life. 'House Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill has earned historic support because it delivers real results for every corner of America. From securing the border to cementing the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, this landmark legislation promises a stronger future for all Americans,' Emmer said in a statement. Managing coalition support for legislation is an under-the-radar responsibility for the Whip, who is also tasked with working to convince the razor-thin GOP majority in the House to support the package. While Emmer's office already had logged groups' support for individual portions of the bill, staff worked to gather the partners' support for the full package just since Friday, when all portions of the bill were combined for the House Budget Committee. The legislation faced a speed bump in a failed Budget Committee vote before hardline conservatives relented to support the bill Uncertainty surrounds the final details of the legislation — and the timeline of passing it — as warring factions of the party push for last-minute tweaks. Moderate blue-state Republicans are seeking an increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, currently written as $30,000 in the bill; while deficit hawks want more substantial reforms to Medicaid and faster phase-out of green energy incentives, among other changes. The broad swaths of the bill, though, are set. In addition to extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts and working to deliver on his campaign promises of no taxes on tips or overtime, it phases out green energy incentives passed into law under former President Biden; imposes new work requirements and other restrictions on Medicaid that are estimated to result in millions of people losing coverage under the low-income program; requires states to share the cost of nutrition benefits for the first time; increases the debt limit; and gives funding boosts to the Pentagon and Trump's border and immigration enforcement efforts.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP reps, advocacy group to target competitive House districts in Trump tax-cut push
EXCLUSIVE: Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is hosting a day of action on Saturday in competitive congressional districts as House Republicans iron out the details of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill." AFP is teaming up with GOP Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, Ashley Hinson of Iowa, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania for door-knocking, phone banks and grassroots organizing in a show of support for extending Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Canvassers will encourage constituents in Arizona, Iowa, Michigan and Pennsylvania to urge their senators and representatives to extend Trump's tax cuts as a key component of his "big, beautiful bill." "Working families and small businesses throughout the country are counting on Congress to act as soon as possible to renew President Trump's tax cuts," AFP Managing Director Kent Strang said in a statement to Fox News Digital ahead of the day of action. Congressional Democrats Targeting Dozens Of House Republican-held Seats In 2026 Midterm Battle For Majority "With support from AFP's activists bringing their unmatched energy and drive this weekend, we can ensure we extend pro-growth tax policy and help Republicans prevent the largest tax hike in history from crushing the middle class." Read On The Fox News App Republicans To Take Aim At These 26 Democrat-held House Seats In 2026 Midterms AFP is launching their day of action in conjunction with their $20 million "Protect Prosperity" campaign, which the conservative advocacy group has called the single largest investment of any outside group dedicated to preserving the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As House Republicans searched for alternative ways to offset an extension of the 2017 tax cuts and Trump's ambitious goals to cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, AFP urged Republicans to offset budget cuts by eliminating former President Joe Biden's "Green New Deal giveaways." The House Energy and Commerce Committee debated green energy cuts during their lengthy markup on Capitol Hill this week as part of the House budget reconciliation process. Meanwhile, House Republicans debated potentially raising taxes as Trump indicated his support for a small tax hike to fund his "big, beautiful bill." While rumors swirled among House Republicans for weeks that the White House was floating a tax hike on millionaires, Trump confirmed on Friday he would be "OK if they do." However, House Republicans seemed to drop their plans for a new millionaire's tax hike as the reconciliation began. The House Ways and Means Committee released nearly 400 pages of legislation on Monday that did not include a tax hike. It's no coincidence that AFP is focusing its attention on competitive districts in Arizona, Iowa, Michigan and Pennsylvania, as contentious races are expected in 2026. In Arizona's sixth congressional district, Ciscomani won his House seat in 2022 with just over 50% of the vote. Schweikert narrowly won Arizona's first congressional district by less than 2% of the vote in 2022 and 2024, as one of the most expensive House races in the country last year. And while Hinson won by a much larger margin in Iowa's second congressional district, Democrat Kevin Techau has already announced his campaign to unseat Hinson. Both Barrett in Michigan and Mackenzie in Pennsylvania managed to pick up Republican House seats in 2024, flipping their congressional districts from blue to red. Democrats will likely seek to win those seats back in article source: GOP reps, advocacy group to target competitive House districts in Trump tax-cut push
