Trump’s GOP Hits A Roadblock
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities are on the line as House Republicans enter a make-or-break stretch to pass a sweeping package of reforms — and time is running out.
With just weeks until Memorial Day, GOP leaders are battling internal gridlock over two hot-button issues: Medicaid reform and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. These are critical pillars of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — a legislative push aimed at restoring fiscal sanity, protecting taxpayers, and defending conservative values in Washington.
But despite optimistic soundbites from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), behind closed doors, divisions are widening and frustration is building.
🚨 Medicaid Reform: Conservatives Demand Accountability — Moderates Push Back
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to move forward this week with a major vote on proposed $880 billion in Medicaid spending cuts. Conservatives are backing commonsense reforms: work requirements, eligibility checks every six months, and blocking illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded benefits.
But moderates are drawing red lines around deeper structural reforms like per capita spending caps and cuts to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).
Speaker Johnson tried to downplay tensions, saying, “There’s still ongoing discussion about per capita caps, but it’s a sensitive thing.”
Still, the message from moderates is clear: No caps. No FMAP cuts. No compromise.
💰 SALT Deduction Fight: Conservatives Call Out Costly Giveaway to Blue State Elites
On the tax front, the House Ways and Means Committee is clashing over how to reform the SALT deduction cap — currently $10,000. Some Republicans have proposed raising the cap to $30,000, but fiscal hawks and Trump-aligned conservatives are sounding the alarm.
“It’s not just a bad idea — it’s a betrayal of every hardworking American family,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) warned, “If you want to blow a hole in the budget for the rich, you better find a way to pay for it.”
Even Speaker Johnson avoided endorsing the $30,000 figure, saying, “We’re still analyzing the numbers to ensure it actually benefits middle-class families — not wealthy elites.”
⏳ Senate Republicans Skeptical but Still Hopeful: “They’ve Pulled Off Miracles Before”
While the House struggles to unify, Senate Republicans are growing restless. A recent GOP retreat focused on the legislative gridlock, with many questioning whether the House can meet its Memorial Day deadline.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) likened the process to gambling: “We go in thinking we’ve got a straight flush — turns out it’s a pair of twos.”
Yet, despite the chaos, there’s still faith in Speaker Johnson. After all, he’s overcome impossible odds before — winning the Speakership, passing budget resolutions, and keeping the government open.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said it best: “They always manage to surprise us. I wouldn’t count them out yet.”
⚡ What’s at Stake: Trump’s Vision for America — Lower Taxes, Secure Borders, Stronger Work Ethic
The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Failure to deliver would hand a win to the radical left. Success means proving that Trump’s America First policies still drive the Republican Party — and that conservative governance works.
With markups looming and negotiations intensifying, this week may define the future of the GOP — and whether President Trump’s second-term legislative goals get off the launchpad.
