Washington - House voted earlier Thursday President Trump's domestic policy billHours after revealing the latest version of legislation that Republican leaders hope to be able to meet enough holdings.
The measure cleared a key obstacle - a procedural vote to start a debate on a large-scale budget plan. Voting for the bill can be held later in the morning.
The legislation deals with the president's tax, defense and energy priorities, and since the GOP leadership repeated assurances to keep their concerns, they will continue to address their concerns if they will legislate forward.
But as Speaker Mike Johnson quickly approaches the self-imposed deadline of the House finish line on Memorial Day, Louisiana Republicans are facing part of a portion of the bill involving Medicaid, state and local tax breaks and other provisions.
A 42-page managerial amendment released by House Republican leaders later Wednesday included winning the House Liberty Group's budget hard-members and Blue-National Republican victory to ease the tax burden on their voters. Among other things, the new version will increase the implementation of Medicaid work requirements from October 1, 2027 to December 31, 2026, which is a change sought by Hardwood Traders.
Another change to the bill will soon terminate the tax credits for new renewable energy power plants, requiring them to start construction within 60 days of legislation and start use on December 31, 2028. This measure is an exception to nuclear power plants and must be built by December 31, 2028.
Given that all members were present and voted, Johnson could only afford three defections, given his majority. All Democrats are expected to object.
On Wednesday afternoon, the right wing dunk met with Mr. Trump and Mr. Johnson at the White House. After the meeting, Johnson huddled with the rest of the Republican meeting to introduce them to the changes, while members of the House Liberty Caucus met separately.
Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, who chaired the conservative House Liberty Caucus, said the bill could pass this week, although he was "very confident" that it could pass within 10 days.
But other budget hardliners said after the meeting that negotiations were heading in the right direction.
During a visit to the Capitol on Tuesday, Mr. Trump put pressure on Republicans to lag behind legislation, a bill that the Republican leader named “Big and Beautiful” and advised those who do not face major challenges.
The White House Office of Management and Budget urged House Republicans to pass the measure in an executive policy statement issued Wednesday, saying it "reflects the common priorities of Congress and administration" and "added that "failure to pass the bill would be the ultimate betrayal."
Details of updated versions of the legislation are combined together in the last few hours before the vote.
Johnson also negotiates with Republicans in Blue Country A provision In state and local tax breaks, it is called salt. Moderates advocate for the addition of salt caps, which is currently set at $10,000, but believe the $30,000 cap outlined in the packaging is still too low. Under the manager's amendment, an agreement was reached to increase the deduction per household of up to $500,000 to $40,000.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican in New York, said Wednesday night that with the increase, he believes everyone who opposes the original rules is now boarding the plane.
But even if Johnson is able to pass the lower chamber legislation, it is expected to face resistance in the Senate - many Republicans say they will seek changes to the bill.
Johnson met with Senate Republicans on Tuesday to discuss the budget process. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, told reporters Wednesday that the speakers “want to change as little as possible to the product because they have pieced together a very delicate balance over there.” But Thune said, “The Senate will have its mark on it.”