House GOP Divisions Threaten Memorial Day Deadline for Trump's Mega-Bill

House Republicans face significant internal divisions as they strive to pass a sweeping reconciliation bill, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," to advance former President Donald Trump's agenda by their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline. Key sticking points include proposed Medicaid cuts and raises to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, with GOP members expressing conflicting views on both issues, complicating consensus. While some Republicans are adamantly opposing any reduction in Medicaid coverage, others are open to modifications such as work requirements, underscoring the challenge of balancing fiscal goals with political realities ahead of the 2026 midterms. The Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture committees remain engaged in negotiations to resolve these disputes but have yet to finalize their portions of the bill. Despite Speaker Mike Johnson's commitment to passing the legislation by Memorial Day, some Republican leaders are now targeting a July 4th deadline, aiming to have the bill signed into law by the nation’s 250th anniversary. The legislation aims to include tax, defense, energy, immigration, and border security policies, with the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being a central and costly component.