Trump Urges Republicans to Unify Behind Controversial Tax Bill Amid Divisions
Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump on Friday urged Republican lawmakers to unite behind a controversial sweeping tax overhaul, amid internal divisions that threaten to stall the bill’s passage in the House.
“Republicans MUST UNITE behind the tax bill,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social upon his return from a trip to the Middle East. “We don’t need party ‘show-offs.’ DON’T JUST TALK – ACT!”
Trump’s call came ahead of a crucial vote in the House Budget Committee, a mandatory step before the bill reaches the House floor. If successful, the bill could be passed as early as next week, in time for the July 4 holiday, a key milestone for the Republican legislative agenda.
Internal Republican divisions
The new tax bill, if enacted, would extend tax cuts passed during Trump’s first term while adding to the national debt, which has already reached $36.2 trillion. The plan would reduce revenue by about $3.72 trillion over a decade, according to estimates from the Joint Committee on Taxation.
However, not all Republican lawmakers are on board. The four hard-line conservatives on the Budget Committee — if they vote unanimously against it — could block the bill from moving forward, as Democrats on the committee are expected to oppose it entirely.
Conservative demands include: deeper cuts to the Medicaid program – which helps low-income people, imposing earlier work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries, and completely eliminating green energy tax incentives enacted by Democrats.
Social impact and Democratic response
Democrats warn that if these proposals are passed, nearly 14 million Americans could lose their health insurance, according to a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
“No bill has ever threatened the health care of so many Americans – not even during the Great Recession,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle, the committee’s top Democrat.
Rush on policy within the GOP
The GOP is now divided into three factions: moderates from Democratic-controlled states who want to increase the local tax deduction (SALT); hard-line conservatives want to trade the SALT increase for cuts to Medicaid and the elimination of clean energy incentives; and moderates want to limit the negative impact on health care.
The new law also proposes imposing work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries starting in 2029, but conservatives want that policy to take effect immediately.
Passage is still up in the air
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) emphasized the importance of delivering on the promises made to voters who elected Trump and handing control of Congress to Republicans.
“They vote to see action. They want us to put America and Americans first. And now is the time to do it,” Arrington said.
With a slim majority and internal divisions, the bill's fate remains uncertain — and President Trump's ability to score a major policy victory ahead of the election remains in question.