White House Seeks July 4 Approval for Controversial Medicaid Legislation

The White House remains committed to having President Donald Trump sign the massive reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by July 4, despite a significant setback from the Senate parliamentarian who rejected key provisions related to Medicaid funding. This ruling complicates Republican efforts to cut federal spending and has fueled calls from some GOP members to fire the parliamentarian, although Senate Majority Leader John Thune has refused to overrule or remove her. Trump has urged Republicans to prioritize passing the bill, emphasizing its benefits including tax cuts, immigration enforcement funding, and other provisions, even as critics warn it would result in large Medicaid cuts and reductions to food assistance programs. The House has passed its version, but the Senate must still approve it, with any modifications returning to the House before it reaches the president’s desk. While some GOP lawmakers signal the vote might be delayed past the July 4 holiday, the administration insists the deadline remains firm. Republicans may attempt to circumvent the parliamentarian’s ruling by changing Senate precedent through a simple-majority vote to expand reconciliation’s scope.