House Republicans on Thursday morning passed a sweeping bill full of President Donald J. Trump’s legislative priorities, marking a major win for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) but kicking off what’s expected to be a bitter battle with the Senate over achieving key parts of the White House’s policy agenda. The chamber cleared the sprawling package in a 215-214 early-morning vote after days of marathon meetings, intense negotiations and a series of last-minute changes to the bill that were crucial in coalescing Republicans around the measure. In the end, just two Republicans — Representatives Thomas Massie (Kentucky) and Warren Davidson (Ohio) — opposed the legislation. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Maryland) voted “present.”
Among the many changes to the legislation include:
MEDICAID — Work requirements would kick in at the end of 2026, rather than the start of 2029 as initially proposed. There would be financial incentives for states not to expand coverage to people who are still near the poverty line but have higher incomes than traditional enrollees. And the bill would bar coverage for gender-affirming care for adults under the program, not just minors as initially proposed.
SALT — The cap on the state-and-local-tax deduction would quadruple to $40,000 from $10,000 but be phased out for taxpayers making more than $500,000. The $40,000 deduction cap and $500,000 income limit would increase by 1 percent through 2033. The cap is up from the $30,000 limit GOP leaders initially proposed.
TAX CREDITS — The revised bill would weaken the clean electricity investment and production tax credits to a point where clean-energy developers say they may be rendered largely unusable. Projects would need to “commence construction” within 60 days of the bill’s enactment to qualify for tax credits and be placed in service by the end of 2028. But Republicans did soften rollbacks of credits for advanced nuclear reactors.
For today, the Senate will wrap up the week with Passage of H.J.Res.88, Providing congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision” and a Motion to proceed to H.J.Res.87, Providing congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision”.
The House is now in recess and will reconvene on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30 P.M. for votes. When the Senate goes into recess later today, it will next meet on Monday, June 2nd at 3:00 P.M.
