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The House Budget Committee moments ago advanced the centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda: a sweeping megabill that would make his 2017 tax cuts permanent, repeal major clean energy incentives and impose deep cuts to safety net programs.

The legislation now heads to the House Rules Committee, which will prepare it for full floor consideration ahead of the Memorial Day recess and the self-imposed deadline Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) set for final passage.

The committee, which began its late-night hearing nearly 30 minutes behind schedule, approved the bill in a 17–16 vote. All House Budget Committee Democrats voted no. The four conservatives who blocked the bill on Friday—Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), and Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.)—voted present, allowing the measure to advance despite ongoing opposition.

Those members had objected to Medicaid and SNAP cuts they argued didn’t go far enough—or kick in fast enough—to offset the cost of the tax provisions.

Over the weekend, House GOP leaders held talks with the hardliners. Among the ideas floated: moving up the start date for Medicaid work requirements and repealing virtually all of the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits. Leadership is also still negotiating with blue-state Republicans over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, which was capped at $10,000 in the 2017 tax law. The current bill would triple that cap to $30,000, but several SALT members say that doesn’t go far enough.

If the bill clears the House, it will head to the Senate, where major policy changes are expected.

May 19
at
2:49 AM

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