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The Hill
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Trump bill faces Senate backlash
The Big Story Senate GOP leadership is being pulled in different directions over President Trump's 'big beautiful bill' amid concerns over spending cuts for Medicaid and food stamps, as some budget hawks also demand more deficit reduction. © Greg Nash The latest headache for negotiators is a proposal being pushed by fiscal conservatives to root out more than $200 billion in what they're calling waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. Here are some of the issues that threaten to derail the Senate bill. Medicaid: Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are threatening to vote against the bill if it reduces Medicaid benefits to constituents, and they have yet to see what language the Senate Finance Committee will roll out on the issue. SNAP: Several Senate Republicans are also raising concerns over a projected $267 billion in spending cuts to the SNAP, including Collins and Moran. The Maine Republican says she's concerned about language in the bill that would shift many of the burdens of administering the programs onto the states and penalize those states that have older systems for monitoring benefits. Spectrum auction: Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are digging in their heels over language in the House-passed bill to auction off government-owned spectrum, which they fear could impede the Defense Department's use of those frequencies for radar and communications. The Hill's Alexander Bolton has more here. Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter, I'm Aris Folley — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond: 5 winners from the Trump-Musk breakup The vicious blowup between President Trump and Elon Musk has shaken up the power dynamics in Washington, D.C. Warren, Wyden warn Trump policies could 'decimate retirees' savings' Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.) are pressing the Trump administration over the impact the president's sweeping trade policies will have on the finances of retirees and people close to retirement. Senate GOP seeks to cut off funding source for top consumer watchdog Senate Republicans are seeking to cut off a key funding source for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as part of a mammoth package to advance President Trump's tax agenda and spending cuts. US, China to hold trade talks Monday in London Top U.S. officials will meet with their Chinese counterparts in London on Monday for the next round of trade talks between the two countries, President Trump said Friday. The Ticker Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: In Other News Branch out with more stories from the day: X users were glued to the Musk v. Trump blowup. Could this be good for the platform? The blowup between the president of the United States and the world's richest man has played … Good to Know Business and economic news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Top stories on The Hill right now: Hegseth could be 'on the hook' for hundreds of millions on Qatari jet, says Raskin The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that he could be 'on the hook' for hundreds of millions of dollars for having accepted a luxury jet from the Qatari government. Read more Supreme Court hands DOGE big wins in Social Security, records cases The Supreme Court on Friday handed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) two major victories in its expanding legal battle over drastic efforts to reshape the federal bureaucracy. Read more What People Think Opinions related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you next week! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate panel targets Biden-era green programs
The Big Story The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released text for its portion of the Trump agenda policy bill that Republicans are trying to get across the finish line, becoming the first Senate panel to do so. © Greg Nash The EPW text appears similar to provisions passed by the House. It's not one of the committees that deals with thorny issues like Medicaid or energy tax credits that are more likely to undergo changes in the upper chamber. Like the House version of the bill, the text released by Senate Republicans on Wednesday repeals numerous green programs passed by the Democrats in 2022. This includes a $20 billion program that seeks to provide financing for climate-friendly projects and a $3 billion program that provides grants for underserved communities that want to fight air pollution and climate change. It also repeals other grant programs related to air pollution monitoring and reducing air pollution at schools — as well as a program that seeks to charge oil and gas companies for their excess methane emissions. Like the House version, the Senate bill also includes a provision criticized by Democrats as 'pay-for-play' that allows companies to pay for expedited reviews of energy or other infrastructure projects. And it seeks to repeal a Biden-era regulation that's expected to push the auto market toward selling more electric vehicles. The ultimate text could still change as the parliamentarian has to decide which programs can actually be passed through reconciliation – a process by which the Senate can pass legislation with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes it usually needs to advance bills. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Duffy threatens to pull California's high speed rail funding The Trump administration notified California officials Wednesday that federal funding for the state's massive high-speed rail project is at risk of being pulled after a four-month review concluded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has 'no viable path' to complete the project on time or on budget. Padilla puts blanket hold on Trump EPA nominees Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is expanding his efforts to hold up President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees in response to the Senate's move to revoke his state's electric vehicle mandate. Canadian wildfire smoke reaches northeast US Canadian wildfire smoke is reaching the northeastern part of the United States, with multiple National Weather Service (NWS) offices saying they are experiencing issues with the smoke. In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: South Florida meteorologist warns viewers NWS staff shortages will impact his hurricane forecasts A South Florida meteorologist warned viewers that National Weather Service (NWS) shortages will impact his forecasts. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Trump's Permitting Boss Aims to Deliver on AI Data Center Plans (Bloomberg Law) White House proposes shutting down chemical safety agency (The Washington Post) On Tap Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump calls for scrapping debt limit President Trump doubled down Wednesday on calls to scrap the nation's debt ceiling, pressing for bipartisan action to abolish it and finding common ground with Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). Read more Haley on Trump call with Putin: 'A backhanded slap to all of our allies' Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) sharply criticized President Trump on Wednesday for suggesting Russia could play a mediating role in nuclear negotiations with Iran. Read more Opinion in The Hill Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
The Hill
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
11 million could lose insurance coverage: CBO
The Big Story A new report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates up to 11 million people would lose their health insurance as part of President Trump's megabill. © Greg Nash, The Hill The CBO's latest report estimates that 10.9 million people would be uninsured over the next decade if the sprawling spending package, which includes much of Trump's legislative agenda, were enacted. CBO found that the legislation, combined with the number of people who would lose insurance if Congress fails to extend ACA subsidies that help people afford insurance coverage, would result in 16 million people losing insurance. If accurate, it would be the largest loss of health care coverage in U.S. history According to the report, roughly 8 million people would lose Medicaid coverage due to strict work requirements and the added eligibility checks. About 1.4 million people without verified citizenship, nationality or satisfactory immigration status would also be ejected from state-funded health programs as the bill would enact new restrictions on how states provide insurance for immigrants without permanent legal status. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (N.J.), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called it 'shocking House Republicans rushed to vote on this bill without an accounting from CBO on the millions of people who will lose their health care or the trillions of dollars it would add to the national debt.' House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) downplayed the CBO's findings, saying Wednesday, 'When it comes time to make prognostications on economic growth, they've always been wrong.' While work requirements remain popular among GOP lawmakers, a handful of Senate Republicans are staunchly opposed to Medicaid cuts, a politically fraught endeavor. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) fell into hot water last week defending those cuts, telling a crowd at a town hall, 'Well, we're all going to die.' She later doubled down amid criticism. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Collins opposed to PEPFAR, global health rescissions proposed by Trump Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Wednesday that she is opposed to a Trump White House proposal that would claw back money Congress has already appropriated for global health programs, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Top CDC COVID vaccine adviser resigns following RFK Jr. recommendation change A top coronavirus vaccine adviser to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resigned from the agency, citing concerns that she would no longer be able to help the most vulnerable people following a change in the agency's recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women. In an email to colleagues, Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos said the decision to leave was a 'personal' one. 'My career in public … Senate GOP talks cutting Medicare 'waste, fraud' to offset cost of Trump tax bill Senate Republicans on Wednesday discussed the need to cut out waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare to achieve more deficit reduction in President Trump's landmark bill to extend the 2017 tax cuts, provide new tax relief, secure the border and boost defense spending. The House-passed bill would cut more than $800 billion from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, but some GOP lawmakers argue that other mandatory … Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Most read stories on The Hill right now: Trump calls for scrapping debt limit President Trump doubled down Wednesday on calls to scrap the nation's debt ceiling, pressing for bipartisan action to abolish it and finding common … Read more Haley on Trump call with Putin: 'A backhanded slap to all of our allies' Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) sharply criticized President Trump on Wednesday for suggesting Russia could play a mediating role … Read more What People Think Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Supreme Court narrows NEPA
The Big Story The Supreme Court has narrowed the scope of environmental review under one of the nation's bedrock environmental laws. © Greg Nash In an 8-0 ruling Thursday, the high court determined reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) do not need to consider certain upstream or downstream impacts of an infrastructure project. NEPA requires the government to consider the impacts of proposed infrastructure projects, ranging from highways to pipelines. At issue in the case was a federal government's assessment of a proposed railway line to ship oil in Utah. A lower court ruled the government's review was inadequate because it did not fully consider the impacts of increased oil production and refining that could occur as a result of the railway project. The majority opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, disagreed. 'When the effects of an agency action arise from a separate project—for example, a possible future project or one that is geographically distinct from the project at hand—NEPA does not require the agency to evaluate the effects of that separate project,' he wrote. The opinion also reins in the power of federal courts to block projects along similar grounds. 'NEPA does not allow courts, 'under the guise of judicial review' of agency compliance with NEPA, to delay or block agency projects based on the environmental effects of other projects separate from the project at hand,' it said. Kavanaugh was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a separate, concurring opinion joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from the case. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: 22 young Americans sue Trump on climate actions: 'A death sentence for my generation' A group of 22 young Americans sued the Trump administration over executive orders the plaintiffs say will exacerbate climate change. Musk criticizes Trump bill over abrupt end to energy tax credits Outgoing administration adviser Elon Musk is criticizing Republicans' signature policy bill to advance President Trump's agenda as the he walks out the door, saying it moves too quickly to phase out Biden-era low-carbon energy tax credits. Saharan dust plume heading for Florida: Here's what to know A massive plume of dust is drifting across the Atlantic and heading for Florida. In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Even low levels of lead exposure may worsen academic performance: Study Academic achievement among adolescents may be affected by early childhood lead exposure at much lower levels than previously assumed, according to a new study. Just a small climb in blood concentrations … What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Forced to relocate by climate change, Alaskan villagers found a new crisis (The Washington Post/KYUK/ProPublica) Controversial Constitution Pipeline Project in New York Is About to Be Revived (The Wall Street Journal) Sexual exploitation and domestic violence soared after Lahaina wildfire, report finds (The Guardian) What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Appeals court lifts first block on Trump tariffs A federal appeals court lifted the first of two rulings blocking President Trump's tariffs on Thursday, handing him a temporary win after a lower court rejected the administration's legal defense hours earlier. Read more Second federal court blocks Trump's tariffs A second federal court blocked the bulk of President Trump's tariffs on Thursday, ruling he cannot claim unilateral authority to impose them by declaring emergencies over trade deficits and fentanyl. Read more Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
House ‘big beautiful bill' makes sweeping energy cuts
View Online The Big Story The House overnight voted to approve an updated version of its 'big, beautiful bill' that includes massive cuts to energy tax credits. © Greg Nash Under the updated version, any energy projects that begin producing electricity after 2028 will not be eligible for the climate-friendly credit. Projects also need to start construction within 60 days of the bill's enactment. However, a carve-out is added for nuclear power, which will only need to begin construction rather than begin producing electricity by the end of 2028 to receive the tax credit. There's also a tighter timeline on Chinese components, subcomponents and minerals; any project that starts construction this year needs to be free of them. Republicans have also stripped a controversial provision added during the amendment process that would have allowed the sale of certain public lands in Utah and Nevada. The updated version of the bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Senate sends measure axing California EV mandate to Trump's desk — sidestepping parliamentarian The Senate voted Thursday to axe California's phaseout of new gas-powered cars, making a controversial move to sidestep the parliamentarian in the process. RFK Jr.'s MAHA report targets food, drug, tech industries: Key takeaways The Trump administration issued its long-awaited Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report Thursday, hammering various industries while deviating from mainstream science on key issues including farming practices, vaccinations and psychiatric medications. House sends resolution giving polluters more leeway to Trump's desk The House early Thursday morning voted to eliminate a Biden-era rule that sought to crack down on toxic air pollution, sending the resolution to President Trump's desk. California to sue Trump administration over 'shortsighted' and 'illegal' attempt to upend state's emissions standards California officials announced their intentions on Thursday to file their 23rd lawsuit against the Trump administration — this time, over an attempt to upend the state's stricter-than-federal emissions rules. In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Wildfire smoke exposure is harming pregnant patients who have limited access to health care: Study The U.S. health care system is ill-prepared to treat pregnant patients and their infants who have endured the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure, a new study finds. Many residents of communities prone … What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Earth's major climate goal is too warm for the polar ice sheets, study says (The Washington Post) Hidden source of clean energy could power Earth for 170,000 years (ABC News) What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Supreme Court clears way for Trump to fire 2 independent agency leaders over liberal dissents The Supreme Court cleared the way Thursday for President Trump to fire two Democratic-appointed independent agency leaders, for now, over the dissents of the court's three liberal justices. Read more House passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in marathon overnight session House Republicans on Thursday morning passed a sweeping bill full of President Trump's legislative priorities, marking a major win for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) but kicking off what's expected to be a bitter battle with the Senate over achieving key parts of the White House's policy agenda. Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
