This could be a pivotal week for Republicans’ push to finalize their massive package of tax breaks and spending cuts.
Seven House committees have passed their portions of the plan. Four committees have yet to do so. Three of those likely still face significant challenges ahead: The Ways and Means Committee, which will decide on tax cuts; the Energy and Commerce Committee, where the size and scope of Medicaid cuts will be determined; and the Agriculture Committee, which will determine cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as food stamps.
Those three committees delayed their markups of reconciliation legislation until next week at the earliest while negotiations continue over the details of their plans. Republicans reportedly have a slew of meetings planned for this week to work toward resolving lingering divisions. House Speaker Mike Johnson set a goal of passing the budget reconciliation bill by Memorial Day, which is three weeks away. Johnson reportedly acknowledged Monday that Republicans might need a little extra time.
The path to the finish line won’t be an easy one. Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith acknowledged “some bumps in the road” in an interview with Fox News yesterday. “Failure is simply not an option,” he told Fox News’s Shannon Bream. “Will it be bumpy, Shannon? It absolutely is. This is the House of Representatives, but will we get the job done? We absolutely will. Failure’s not an option.”
What happens this week could go a long way to determining whether that’s true.