PoliticusUSA is an ad-free supply for information, opinion, and evaluation that may by no means cater to any particular person or celebration. You may help our work by turning into a subscriber.
The vote on Tuesday night within the Home was the primary procedural vote to advance the Republican finances invoice that contained $2 trillion in spending cuts that may just about intestine Medicaid and meals help, increase the debt restrict, and supply $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that may principally go to the rich and companies.
It ought to have been easy crusing for Home Republicans, proper?
When you believed that, you could have by no means seen this group of Home Republicans in motion.
The indicators of bother started when Republicans on the far proper began grumbling concerning the invoice containing no spending cuts for presidency funding that expires on March 14.
The actually massive purple flag got here out when Home Republicans left a 15-minute vote open for an hour plus as they had been attempting to scrounge up the votes for the reconciliation invoice.
After trying like they’d canceled the vote, Johnson referred to as the Home again into session to vote on the finances invoice.
Home Republicans grumbled and dragged their ft all day, however in the long run, they bought in line and handed the invoice.
The Home GOP is now on the file supporting gutting Medicaid, which has an over 75% approval ranking with Republicans and Democrats.
Jake Sherman of Punchbowl Information posted on X about how insane this evening has been:
in my 15+ years masking congress, i’ve by no means seen the management cancel a vote, ship lawmakers dwelling after which abruptly swap course and put the vote up. all throughout the course of about 10 minutes.
None of this can be a good signal for the Home Republican skill to move something, and if they’d this massive of a struggle over a procedural vote, think about the extent of hell that may break free once they try to move a closing invoice.
Democrats can be in an ideal place to run towards each single Home Republican who voted for this invoice as voting to just about finish Medicaid with a view to minimize taxes for the wealthy.
Home Republicans have sealed their very own destiny in 2026. Voters have already turned on Trump, and now, with a vote to just about kill Medicaid, they will doubtless kiss their slim Home majority goodbye.
There may be nonetheless a really lengthy method to go on this course of. Nothing is closing but, however Republicans within the Home took a step towards advancing Trump’s agenda.
The ultimate vote was 217-215. Speaker Mike Johnson gained, however Republicans took an enormous step towards shedding the Home.
What do you consider Republicans passing their finances invoice? Share your ideas within the feedback under.
