On Tuesday, President Donald Trump intensified his appeal to Congress, urging members to ensure the passage of his comprehensive legislative proposal, which he described as a “big, beautiful bill,” before lawmakers leave for their summer recess.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on Senate Republicans to “lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK.”
He added, “Work with the House so they can pick it up and pass it IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE.”
Despite Trump’s insistence, the bill’s journey through Congress faces significant hurdles, particularly ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. Senate Republicans remain divided over critical policy issues, raising concerns about whether the House will accept the Senate’s version of the expansive legislation.
The bill currently awaits a vote in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune reaffirmed his commitment to proceeding this week, even as certain GOP senators express reservations about various provisions, including their potential impact on federal deficits and the state-and-local-tax deduction cap, commonly referred to as SALT.
The bill’s prospects suffered a setback when Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough mandated the exclusion of several key components. MacDonough determined that certain provisions did not comply with a legislative rule that enables budgetary measures to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold, allowing them to pass with a simple majority instead. With only 53 Republicans in the Senate, this budget rule, known as reconciliation, is crucial for the bill’s passage.
As a result, Senate Republicans are now working to amend the bill to align with MacDonough’s directives while also ensuring it meets the approval of both the House and their own GOP members who are expressing skepticism.
One key area of contention involves discussions between Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and House Republicans regarding the SALT cap, which is set at $40,000 in the House proposal, according to POLITICO.
While facing time constraints, GOP leaders are projecting optimism about securing the bill’s passage before the Independence Day holiday. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the significance of the July 4 deadline, stating on Finance Newso News Channel, “The president is insistent about it.”
“I have been from the very beginning, and I think we can get this job done. I remain very optimistic that we will,” he added.
