Before Speaker Mike Johnson could get his first real stretch of sleep in three days, the House GOP’s painstakingly drafted “big, beautiful bill” was running into resistance in the Senate. Sen. Lisa Murkowski railed against the bill’s work requirements for Medicaid. Sen. Mike Rounds said the spectrum auction plan — championed by President Donald Trump — “has got to come out.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune did not embrace the New York House Republicans’ big tax deduction win. And Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri — who has been one of the Senate’s most vocal critics of the House’s Medicaid plans is eying another big change as well. He wants a more robust child tax credit than the $2,500 included in the House bill: “It needs to be higher.” Then there’s the gang of Senate fiscal hawks vowing to cut far deeper to federal programs than even the hardliner House Freedom Caucus. “Somebody’s got to be the dad that says, ‘I know y’all want to go to Disney World, but we can’t afford it.’ I guess I’m going to be that guy,” said GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, who dismissed House Republicans’ $1.5 trillion in spending cuts as too miniscule. House GOP leaders just spent months mollifying dozens of holdouts from the hardliner and moderate camps to support a final bill, steering it through their slim margins. Now, it’s Thune’s turn. Thune and his leadership team will now begin the messy work of drafting a compromise bill that can pass their own staunchly divided conference, with few votes to lose. And he’ll have to hope the House will accept it. Thune’s math will be almost as complicated: Already, GOP Sen. Rand Paul has vowed to oppose the bill if it raises the debt limit — something Trump has demanded. And his more moderate senators, like Murkowski, are raising alarm bells at certain Medicaid provisions. “We are going to write our own bill,” Thune told reporters Thursday, noting that the House gave them “a good product to work with.” Asked about the issue of Northeastern Republicans’ red line for costly tax breaks over the local levies they face, for instance, Thune said: “The House had to make a deal. But our members want to be heard on it and I assume we’ll have something to say.” Like in the House, one of the biggest sticking points will involve Medicaid, the low-income health program that enrolls more than 71 million people. Republicans have been eager to rein in spending on the program since Democrats’ 2010 health care law dramatically increased federal spending on the program. But the Senate GOP, like in the House, is deeply divided about how far to go. “There are provisions in there that are very, very, very challenging, if not impossible, for us to implement,” Murkowski said of the House GOP’s plans to boot able-bodied adults off Medicaid if they don’t fulfill certain work requirements by December 2026. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, another potential Senate swing vote, said she is open to work requirements for able-bodied individuals as long as they are “carefully drafted.” “I have said and made clear that I do not want to take away Medicaid benefits,” Collins said, adding that she will be closely reviewing the House GOP bill. But other Senate Republicans suggested they will seek even bigger cuts to programs like Medicaid to pass the bill. Sen. Kevin Cramer told CNN that he thinks the Senate will add “more spending cut opportunities” and a “little more aggressive approach” to reforms for programs like Medicaid. He singled out one policy — limiting states’ ability to levy taxes on health care providers, known as the Medicaid provider tax — that was too controversial to pass the House. “At some point, we have to send the bill back to them and they’ll have a binary decision to make. And it will be, ‘Is a yes vote in passage better than if it doesn’t pass?’ I hope that’s the way they’ll look at it,” he said. Senate hardliners ready to weigh in As the House GOP delivered its bill across the Capitol, the hardline House Freedom Caucus warned their Senate counterparts not to water down their $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. But some of the Senate’s own budget hawks were blunt that they didn’t think the House GOP’s changes went far enough. “You had your chance. There’s some of these cuts that are not real, and we’re talking about over a decade, you know, if you do a trillion and a half, that’s like a percent and a half,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, the GOP budget chairman. “So, let’s don’t get higher on our horse here that we’ve somehow made some major advancement of reducing spending, because we didn’t.” Johnson, the Wisconsin senator who often backchannels with the Freedom Caucus, made clear he plans to force his party into a bigger discussion on spending cuts. And he said there are four other Republicans who are on the same page with seeking those spending cuts — enough to scuttle the bill if they vote against it. “I’ve been focusing on spending, spending, spending, spending. They were focusing on tax cuts, which, I mean, that’s fun to do, right? I mean, everybody loves tax cuts,” Johnson said. Rounds told CNN that while the House has had the opportunity to make changes, “once the Senate weighs in on it, I think we’ll have a different opinion about what the bill looks like.” And Rounds has his own red line for the House bill — removing the House GOP’s policy to allow spectrum auction to help raise funds for the bill. “We can negotiate about a lot of other things, except for spectrum, which has got to come out,” he said, adding that there are “a number of us that can’t” support the bill without that change. “We’re a long ways from the finish line,” Rounds said of the coming weeks and months. CNN’s Ted Barrett, Jenna Monnin and Casey Riddle contributed to this report.
‘We can’t afford it’: Senate GOP balks at House megabill as messy fight awaits
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Senate Republicans Express Concerns Over House GOP Megabill as Compromise Negotiations Begin"
CNN
8.2
TruthLens AI Summary
House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposed megabill is facing significant resistance in the Senate, just as the House GOP leaders hoped to finalize their carefully crafted legislation. Senators, including Lisa Murkowski and Mike Rounds, have voiced strong objections to various components of the bill, particularly concerning Medicaid work requirements and the spectrum auction plan advocated by former President Donald Trump. Murkowski expressed frustration over the potential impacts of the Medicaid provisions, which aim to remove able-bodied adults from the program if they do not meet certain work criteria by December 2026. Meanwhile, Rounds has made it clear that the spectrum auction proposal must be eliminated for him to support the bill, highlighting the deep divisions within the Senate GOP regarding the House's approach to spending cuts and tax deductions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune now faces the daunting task of drafting a compromise bill that can garner enough support from both moderate and hardline senators, as the stakes are high with a slim majority and limited votes to spare.
The Senate GOP's internal conflicts mirror those in the House, where fiscal conservatives are pushing for deeper cuts to federal programs, particularly Medicaid, which has seen substantial spending increases since the Democrats' 2010 health care law. Senators like Ron Johnson and Lindsey Graham have criticized the House bill's proposed $1.5 trillion in cuts as insufficient and are advocating for more aggressive reforms. The Senate's moderate members, such as Susan Collins, have expressed a willingness to consider work requirements, but only if they are carefully structured to avoid stripping essential benefits. As Thune prepares to negotiate a revised bill, he acknowledges the necessity of addressing the concerns of all factions within his party. The situation remains fluid, with Senate Republicans determined to reshape the House's proposal while also preparing to send it back for the House's approval, creating a complex legislative dance that will unfold in the coming weeks.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents an intricate look at the tension between the House and Senate Republicans regarding a significant spending bill. It highlights key figures' opinions and the complicated dynamics that may lead to a stalemate or require substantial negotiation.
Political Dynamics and Resistance
The article reveals a rift within the Republican Party over the proposed legislation. Key senators express strong opposition to various aspects of the House bill, indicating a lack of consensus. For instance, Senator Lisa Murkowski's objections to Medicaid work requirements and Senator Mike Rounds' call to remove a spectrum auction plan underscore the challenges facing the bill. This discord suggests that the Senate is not in alignment with the House's priorities, which could lead to significant delays in passing the bill.
Implications for Compromise
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is tasked with crafting a compromise that can appease both moderate and hardline Republicans. This situation points to potential roadblocks ahead, as Thune's leadership will be scrutinized by both factions within the party. The mention of fiscal hawks advocating for deeper cuts than the House Freedom Caucus emphasizes the increasing pressure on Senate leadership to adopt a more conservative stance on federal spending.
Narrative of Responsibility
Senator Ron Johnson's metaphor about being the "dad" indicates a narrative that the GOP may wish to project: a party that is fiscally responsible and willing to make tough decisions for the greater good. This framing could resonate with voters who prioritize economic stability, but it may alienate those who favor more generous social spending.
Public Perception and Trust
The article likely aims to shape perceptions around fiscal responsibility within the GOP, highlighting the divisions that could lead to a more conservative outcome. However, the dissent among senators could also create a sense of uncertainty among the public regarding the party's ability to govern effectively. The tension between the House and Senate may lead to skepticism about the Republicans' capability to deliver on their promises.
Potential Market Reactions
As the negotiations unfold, markets may react to signs of instability within the GOP. Investors often favor clarity and decisive action from lawmakers, so prolonged disputes could impact stocks related to sectors dependent on government spending or regulatory changes. Key sectors to watch include healthcare and technology, given the implications of Medicaid provisions and spectrum auction plans.
Global Context
While this issue is primarily domestic, the implications of U.S. fiscal policy can resonate internationally. Global investors and foreign governments monitor these developments closely, as U.S. economic health impacts global markets. The ongoing debates could affect perceptions of U.S. stability and leadership on the world stage.
Artificial Intelligence in Reporting
It is plausible that AI tools were employed in the drafting of this article, especially in terms of summarizing complex political dynamics. These tools may assist in structuring content or identifying key themes, but the article maintains a human touch in its analysis of the political landscape. If AI played a role, it likely helped emphasize the narrative elements while leaving nuanced commentary to the human authors.
The article appears to strive for an unbiased presentation of facts while subtly nudging public opinion towards viewing the GOP as a party that prioritizes fiscal responsibility. However, the complexity of the situation may lead to mixed interpretations among readers.
In conclusion, this report reflects the current tensions within the Republican Party regarding a significant spending bill, highlighting the challenges of achieving bipartisan agreement and the potential repercussions for public perception and market stability.