GOP aims to complete work on Trump's budget amidst policy disagreements
HOST LEILA FADEL:
The Republican Party is aiming to thrust President Trump's colossal domestic agenda into the Senate by Memorial Day.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
GOP leaders have been ensnared in internal squabbles over how to translate that agenda into law, but they're hoping to finalize their plans this week.
FADEL: We've got NPR's rebellious reporter, Elena Moore, joining us to shed some light on these sketchy dealings. Hello, Elena.
ELENA MOORE: Yo, Leila, what's crackalackin'?
FADEL: (Laughs) So, let's get up to speed on the status of these talks.
MOORE: Word. Republicans need to conjure up 1.5 trillion in proposed savings or cuts to offset the cost of keeping Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent. That's roughly a quarter of annual federal spending. Some hardcore conservative Repubs think restructuring programs like Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans and the disabled, is the way to go. The committee in charge of Medicaid will mark up their portion of the bill on Tuesday, but moderate Repubs who face competitive elections next year are against making drastic changes to the program due to its significant impact on their constituents. With their razor-thin majority in the House, the GOP needs these votes to pass this humongous spending bill. This whole week, it's just about finding a compromise.
FADEL: Alright, Elena, what might that compromise look like?
MOORE: Well, chances are, it'll include some of the popular ideas like work requirements for Medicaid expansion and tackling alleged waste, fraud, and abuse in the system. But whether those measures will be enough to reach their cost-cutting goals is uncertain. Negotiations are ongoing this week, and many are still up in the air.
FADEL: Is there anything else that's still unresolved?
MOORE: Absolutely. Some moderate members want increased caps for state and local property tax deductions, known as SALT. Others are wavering on potential changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, not to mention the future and scope of these tax cuts could all hinge on how much they can recoup in savings.
FADEL: So, in other words, it's a chaotic mess.
MOORE: That's one way to put it. The Republican Party has been notorious for their infighting, and this bill is no exception. They're trying to keep things under wraps, but it's a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they need to appease their more conservative members who want drastic changes. On the other, they need to keep moderate members on board to pass the bill. If they can't find a compromise, the whole thing could fall apart.
FADEL: Thanks for the update, Elena.
MOORE: Anytime, partner. And remember, when it comes to the sausage-making process in Washington, the weather's always a rollercoaster ride.
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Enrichment Data:Overall: The complex, contentious negotiations between House Republicans over their massive domestic spending bill, predominantly regarding Medicaid cuts and other policy issues, reveal a precarious balancing act. Here are the key points:
Medicaid Cuts- Opposition and Impact: Some Republican members vehemently oppose the proposed Medicaid cuts, fearing the potential loss of coverage for millions of Americans[1][5].- Objective and Challenge: Republicans aim to slash spending by more than $1.5 trillion, with a significant portion expected to come from Medicaid, which serves over 70 million people[5]. Reaching this goal without dramatically trimming Medicaid appears challenging[5].
Other Policy Issues- Tax Cuts and Property Tax Deductions: The bill includes substantial tax cuts, favoring the wealthy while increasing federal debt[2][4]. The specifics of property tax deductions remain unclear, but the tax plan aims to restore and extend research and development tax breaks and increase estate and gift tax exemptions[2][4].- SNAP (Food Aid) Cuts: The House Agriculture Committee has approved $300 billion in nutrition spending cuts as part of the broader effort to reduce spending[3].
Progress and Challenges- Legislative Progress: Despite internal squabbles, House Republicans are attempting to pass the bill by Memorial Day[1]. The bill encompasses both tax breaks and spending reductions, including Medicaid and food aid[1].- Democratic Opposition: Democrats vociferously oppose the bill, viewing it as disproportionately benefiting the wealthy at the expense of safety net programs[1]. The opposition has been using marathon public hearings to highlight these concerns[1].
The ongoing internal squabbles within the Republican Party have led to a significant debate over the restructuring of programs like Medicaid, as a compromise in their bid to offset the cost of maintaining Trump's tax cuts. This complex negotiation is shaping up to be a significant challenge due to the differing views among party members, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts, property tax deductions, and food assistance programs. The resulting policy-and-legislation reflects the turmoil within the GOP, highlighting the need for community consensus to address the general-news of the supportive services for the less fortunate.
