Trump Fails to Unite GOP Holdouts on Tax, Medicaid Bill

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful appeal to House Republicans to back his expansive tax and budget reconciliation bill, emphasizing unity and warning against further changes, particularly on Medicaid and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. Despite his efforts in a closed-door meeting and a public GOP conference appearance, Trump failed to sway key holdouts from both the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which demands deeper spending cuts including on Medicaid, and moderate Republicans from high-tax blue states who oppose the proposed $30,000 SALT deduction cap. Prominent dissenters like Rep. Andy Harris and Rep. Mike Lawler remain firm in their opposition, citing concerns over deficit reduction measures and constituent pressures. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need for continued negotiations with these holdouts as the Memorial Day deadline approaches, underscoring the delicate balance GOP leadership faces in pushing the bill through a narrow majority. The legislation aims to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts while imposing new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, potentially affecting millions and saving hundreds of billions over a decade, but risks increasing the federal debt by trillions. Overall, the internal GOP divisions highlight the ongoing challenges in passing the bill despite Trump's high-profile intervention.