House GOP pushes massive budget bill in rare 1 A.M. session amid sharp divisions
The House Rules Committee convened just after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday to begin debate on a sweeping Republican budget bill tied to President Trump’s legislative agenda.
(NBC)- In a highly unusual move, the House Rules Committee convened just after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday to begin debate on a sweeping Republican budget bill tied to President Trump’s legislative agenda.
“Americans need this legislation to ensure our economic survival,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), as Republicans defended the urgency of the overnight session.
Democrats slammed the timing, accusing GOP leadership of trying to push the massive proposal through with limited public scrutiny.
“Why are you trying to ram it through in the dead of night?” asked Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA). Republicans argue the late hour reflects their need to work around the clock to meet a self-imposed Friday deadline for a full House vote—one that would require no Democratic support. But internal GOP divisions remain a major hurdle. “There are critical changes that we need to see,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), one of several Republicans pushing for revisions.
The proposed legislation includes increased funding for immigration enforcement and the military, and it would extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts. It also introduces a temporary suspension of taxes on tips and overtime pay. To offset the new spending, the bill calls for significant cuts to food assistance, clean energy programs, and Medicaid. According to two lawmakers present at a closed-door meeting Tuesday, President Trump reportedly used expletives while warning conservatives not to interfere with the Medicaid changes.
“I think we’re gonna get everything we want. And I think we’re gonna have a great victory,” Trump said confidently during a public appearance.
Democrats, though in the minority, continue to raise alarm about the bill’s potential impact.
“Millions of people lose healthcare, prices will go up for folks across the country,” warned Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA).
Lindsay Latham, a disability advocate and mother who relies on Medicaid to support her special needs son, expressed fear over the bill’s consequences.
“People will file for bankruptcy when they have to go to the doctor or the hospital,” she said.
Republicans claim the cuts target Medicaid fraud, but the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that at least 8.5 million Americans could lose health coverage under the bill. Other independent analyses suggest the plan could add up to $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit—fueling skepticism among fiscal conservatives in the GOP who doubt that the proposed cuts are enough to balance the new spending.
