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Boston Globe
21-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
House GOP grinding ahead with Trump's big tax cuts bill, but new report says it will add to deficit
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Republicans prepared to hunker down at the Capitol after midnight for one last committee hearing processing changes to the package. The session was expected to push into Wednesday ahead of House floor action. Advertisement 'President Trump's 'one, big, beautiful bill' is going to require one, big, beautiful vote,' said Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. 'We are going to get this done.' It's a make-or-break moment for the president and his party in Congress, who have invested much of their political capital during the crucial first few months of Trump's return to the White House on this package. If the House Republicans fall in line with the president, overcoming unified Democratic objections, the package would next go to the Senate. Advertisement The package comes at a daunting time as the U.S. economy faces uncertainty. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Republicans are trying to 'quickly jam this unpopular legislation through the House because they know that the longer they wait, the more will come to light about this cruel and unconscionable bill.' At its core, the sprawling 1,000-plus-page bill is centered on extending the tax breaks approved during Trump's first term in 2017, while adding new ones he campaigned on during the 2024 presidential campaign. To make up for some of the lost revenue, the Republicans are focused on spending cuts to federal safety net programs and a massive rollback of green energy tax breaks from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, the package tacks on $350 billion in new spending — with about $150 billion going to the Pentagon, including for the president's new " Golden Dome" defense shield, and the rest for Trump's mass deportation and border security agenda. The package title carries Trump's own words, the " One Big Beautiful Bill Act." As Trump promised voters on the tax front, the package proposes there would be no taxes on tips for certain workers, including those in some service industries; automobile loan interest; or some overtime pay. There would also be an increase to the standard income tax deduction, to $32,000 for joint filers, and a boost to the child tax credit to $2,500. There would be a new deduction, of $4,000, for seniors, to help defray taxes on Social Security income. To cut spending, the package would impose new work requirements for many people who receive health care through Medicaid, with able-bodied adults needing to fulfill 80 hours a month on a job or in other community activities. Advertisement Similarly, those who receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would also face new work requirements. Older Americans up to age 64, rather than 54, would need to work or engage in the community programs for 80 hours a month. Additionally, some parents of children older than 7 years old would need to fulfill the work requirements; under current law, the requirement comes after children are 18. Republicans said they want to root out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal programs. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated 8.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the various changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. It also said 3 million fewer people each month would have SNAP benefits. Republicans have been racing to finish up the package by Memorial Day, a deadline imposed by Johnson as he tries to overcome objections within his own ranks. Conservatives are insisting on quicker, steeper cuts to federal programs to offset the costs of the trillions of dollars in lost tax revenue. GOP leaders have sped up the start date of the Medicaid work requirements from 2029 to 2027. At the same time, more moderate and centrist lawmakers are wary of the changes to Medicaid that could result in lost health care for their constituents. Others are worried the phaseout of the renewable energy tax breaks will impede businesses using them to invest in green energy projects in many states. Plus, a core group of lawmakers from New York, California and other high-tax states want a bigger state and local tax deduction, called SALT, for their voters back home. Advertisement As it stands, the bill would triple what's currently a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction, increasing it to $30,000 for joint filers with incomes up to $400,000 a year. They have proposed a deduction of $62,000 for single filers and $124,000 for joint filers. Trump has been pushing hard for Republicans to unite behind the bill, which has been uniquely shaped in his image, and he said after meeting with House lawmakers privately Tuesday at the Capitol that anyone who doesn't support the bill would be a 'fool.' But it's not at all clear that Trump, who was brought in to seal the deal, changed minds. One of the conservative Republicans, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, said afterward he's still a no vote. 'We're still a long ways away,' said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., the chair of the House Freedom Caucus. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, estimates that the House bill is shaping up to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the debt over the next decade.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House Republicans advance Trump bill
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump plans to visit Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge House Republicans to pass his 'one big, beautiful bill' before the holiday weekend. GOP members took to the House floor Monday to try to unite their caucus. 'I urge my colleagues to support it,' said U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R=Pa.). After the legislation initially failed in a House committee Friday, lawmakers narrowly advanced an updated version late Sunday night. 'There's a lot of moving parts,' said Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Johnson is trying to compromise with his conservative and centrist members over proposed cuts to Medicaid and green energy programs. 'We've got a few issues to resolve,' Johnson said. However, Johnson is still hopeful for his Memorial Day deadline to pass the bill to extend the president's tax breaks and increase funding for border security and deportations. 'This bill does not add to the deficit,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget disagrees with Leavitt, estimating the House bill would add more than $3 trillion to the debt over the next decade. 'House Democrats will continue to strongly oppose the GOP tax scam,' said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Jeffries called this a 'make or break week' for the country. 'Almost 14 million people will lose their ability to access healthcare. People will die,' Jeffries said. Johnson stressed the most vulnerable Americans will not lose coverage. The bill needs to clear another House committee before going to the floor for a full vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
02-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Bipartisan senators unveil measure providing flexibility in school lunch milk options
A bipartisan trio in the Senate unveiled a proposal on Wednesday to require schools to offer non-dairy milk options at lunch to accommodate students who are lactose intolerant or have other dietary restrictions. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has long required school lunches to include milk on all trays in order for schools to be reimbursed for the meals. But the 'Freedom in School Cafeterias and Lunches (FISCAL) Act' — introduced by Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) — would update the legislation to require schools to also offer students 'plant-based milk' that is 'consistent with nutritional standards established by the Secretary.' 'We need to be doing whatever it takes to make sure our kids are fed in school,' Fetterman said in a statement. 'This bipartisan bill cuts the unnecessary red tape in our nutrition assistance programs so students can access meals that work for them and their dietary needs.' Booker said the bill also seeks to remedy inequity in the school lunch program, noting many people of color are lactose intolerant and are deprived of some nutrition that other students might get through milk at lunch. 'Most of this nation's children of color are lactose intolerant, and yet our school lunch program policy makes it difficult for these kids to access a nutritious fluid beverage that doesn't make them sick,' Booker said in a statement. 'This bipartisan and bicameral legislation will bring greater equity to the lunchroom, by giving students the option to choose a nutritious milk substitute that meets their dietary needs.' The senators also touted the legislation as fiscally sound, pointing to data indicating 40 percent of milk cartons at lunches get discarded without even being opened. 'There are over 30 million food-insecure children in this country, yet current school lunch policies waste $400 million worth of food each year. Feeding our kids and keeping them healthy isn't a red or blue issue,' Fetterman said.
Axios
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Republicans retain Mike Waltz's House seat
Republican Randy Fine defeated Democrat Josh Weil in the race for Florida's 6th congressional district, according to AP. Why it matters: Republicans were skittish about a close race that didn't bear out. The result will embolden them and serve as yet another blow to Democrats' electoral ambitions. In that state's 1st District, Jimmy Patronis, the Republican candidate to replace former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, is even less vulnerable than Fine was to retain a district that Trump won by 37 points. For Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) House Republicans, Tuesday's two specials are the only real-world data points they'll get this year on what's coming in 2026. Fine will replace Mike Waltz, who Trump named his national security adviser. The big picture: Johnson is dealing with a razor-thin majority that has been exceedingly difficult to manage and has raised questions about his ability to enact Trump's agenda.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Struggling with your nomination': 4 takeaways from RFK Jr., Gabbard, Patel hearings
Three of President Donald Trump's nominees for top jobs in his administration faced tough questioning from Democrats during Senate confirmation hearings Thursday − and two of them were also grilled by some Republicans, highlighting concerns in Trump's own party about some of his unorthodox picks. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La, pressed Trump's pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on his anti-vaccine views, particularly debunked claims that vaccines cause autism, and said he was 'struggling' to support him. Republican senators also repeatedly pushed Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, on whether Edward Snowden – the former National Security Agency employee who leaked classified intelligence information – is a traitor, a label she avoided using to the frustration of some lawmakers. Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, said he disagreed with the president's decision to grant clemency to his supporters who assaulted police officers during the U.S. Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. Meanwhile, a Senate committee advanced Russell Vought, Trump's nominee to lead the Office of Management Budget, which has been embroiled in a controversy over pausing federal funding. Patel, Kennedy and Gabbard have faced considerable criticism of their records and qualifications. All three came under intense scrutiny from Democrats Thursday during hearings that sometimes became emotional. The concerns raised by Republicans are more problematic for Trump, though. The president already needed Vice President J.D. Vance to break a tie Senate vote to get his Defense secretary confirmed after three Republicans opposed the nomination. Here are some takeaways from an explosive day of confirmation hearings. Cassidy, a gastroenterologist, said in the past that Kennedy was 'wrong' about vaccines. Cassidy has been viewed as a potential swing vote on Kennedy's confirmation, and made his concerns plain Thursday. The Louisiana senator kicked off Kennedy's second day of confirmation hearings by asking if he would 'unequivocally' assure Americans, particularly mothers, that vaccines do not cause autism. Kennedy said he would – after being shown data to that effect. Cassidy said that still left him with concerns, adding, 'The data has been there for a long time.' Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine also questioned Kennedy's prior anti-vaccine rhetoric in Thursday's hearing. Murkowski and Collins already have voted against Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for Defense secretary. Invoking his knowledge of the medical field to highlight the benefits of vaccines, Cassidy worried that 'if there's any false note, any undermining of a mama's trust in vaccines, another person will die from a vaccine-preventable disease.' 'Does a… 71-year-old man who's spent decades criticizing vaccines, and who's financially vested in finding fault with vaccines, can he change his attitudes and approach now that he'll have the most important position influencing vaccine policy in the United States?' Cassidy asked, referencing Kennedy making money from vaccine litigation. Kennedy's frequent comments that he wants to see more data on vaccine safety didn't sit well with Cassidy. He questioned whether Kennedy would improve Americans' health or 'undermine it by always asking for more evidence and never accepting the evidence that is there.' 'That is why I have been struggling with your nomination,' said Cassidy, indicating he was torn on how to vote and telling Kennedy, 'You may be hearing from me over the weekend.' An attorney, activist, author and member of a storied American political family, Kennedy mounted a longshot bid for president in 2024, first as a Democrat and then as an independent, before dropping out and endorsing Trump, who rewarded him with a nomination to lead federal health agencies he has long criticized. Gabbard, a former Democratic congressmember and 2020 presidential candidate who endorsed Trump in 2024, also has a record that gives some in her party heartburn. She has made comments viewed as sympathetic to dictators, including Russia's Vladimir Putin, and has been deeply critical of U.S. intelligence agencies. On Thursday, she repeatedly sought to distance herself from her past support of Snowden, who stole and leaked more than one million documents to the media about U.S. intelligence collection efforts. Multiple Republican senators pressed Gabbard on her position, saying Snowden was a traitor who undermined U.S. national security and not, as Gabbard has claimed in the past, a patriotic whistleblower. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, criticized legislation Gabbard filed in 2020 – the 'Protect Brave Whistleblowers Act' – saying it 'would hamper our ability to prosecute people who give our adversaries classified information.' Gabbard repeatedly stated that her position was that Snowden 'broke the law.' But over and over again she declined to call him a traitor in response to questions from Democratic and Republican senators. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., asked Gabbard for her thoughts on a House Intelligence Committee report stating Snowden damaged national security, and seemed concerned with her response. 'It's notable you didn't say 'Yes, he clearly hurt in various ways our national security,'' Young said. 'I think it would befit you, and be helpful to the way you are perceived by members of the intelligence community, if you would at least acknowledge the greatest whistleblower in American history, so-called, harmed national security by breaking the laws of the land,' Young added later. Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., hammered Gabbard on her refusal to characterize Snowden as a traitor. 'This is where the rubber meets the road,' Bennet said, his voice raised. 'Is Edward Snowden a traitor? That is not a hard question to answer when the stakes are this high.' When Gabbard again sought to deflect Bennet's question, he replied, visibly angry, 'That is not a hard question!' Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., clashed with Gabbard over her views and public statements on Russia. 'I want to make certain that in no way does Russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart or any policy recommendation you would make or not make,' Moran said, prompting Gabbard to fire back that she was 'offended by the question.' 'No country or group or individual will get a pass,' if she's confirmed for the job, Gabbard said. The Senate still has a number of Republicans with more hawkish views on national security issues, and Gabbard's nomination could test their willingness to go along with Trump. Patel's nomination has worried critics who view him as a Trump loyalist who will seek retribution against the president's political enemies. So it was notable that Patel broke with Trump Thursday on the question of how to handle Jan. 6 defendants who assaulted police officers. Asked by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., if Trump was wrong to issue "blanket clemency" to Jan. 6 defendants, Patel said it is within Trump's power to pardon. When Durbin pressed him further, Patel said he has always rejected violence against law enforcement, including during the infamous Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. "I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement," Patel said. But Patel didn't contradict Trump on his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, asked Patel if Trump lost in 2020, characterizing it as a yes-or-no question. Patel declined to answer directly, although he acknowledged Joe Biden became president. "President Biden's election was certified. He was sworn in and he served as the president of the United States," Patel said. "Once again, people who are 100% loyal to President Trump cannot answer that question." Hirono replied. Democrats blasted Patel from the start of the hearing. Durbin said he 'has neither the experience, the temperament, nor the judgment' to lead the FBI. Republicans lauded him. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Patel's career as 'been a study in fighting unpopular but righteous causes, exposing corruption and putting America first.' Grassley opened the hearing by saying the FBI has been plagued by 'abuse' and 'weaponization' and has lost the public trust, but Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., later cautioned Patel to rebuild the FBI, not just tear it down. 'Don't go over there and burn down that agency. Lift it up. Clean it up, but lift it up in accordance with due process and the rule of law,' Kennedy said. The Senate Budget Committee voted on Thursday to advance Russell Vought, Trump's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, for a floor floor vote, in which all senators will decide whether to officially confirm Vought for the role, will likely take place next reported that Democrats on the Senate budget and appropriations committees had tried to postpone the Thursday vote after the Trump administration had ordered a pause on certain federal spending, but the effort was unsuccessful. The spending pause prompted a huge backlash. A federal judge temporarily blocked it, and the White House later rescinded the OMB memo the sparked the on the Budget Committee ended up boycotting the vote, writing on X, formerly Twitter, that, 'We will not vote for someone so clearly unfit for office.'Vought has also faced criticism from Democrats over his ties with Project 2025, an extensive 920-page plan put together by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, that aims to reshape the federal government. He wrote the chapter on executive power in Project 2025. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senators grill Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Robert F Kennedy Jr.
