Johnson, top House Republicans to huddle with Trump on agenda bill
Share and Follow


Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and a trio of top House Republicans are heading to the White House on Thursday to meet with President Trump about the bill full of his legislative priorities, as GOP leaders struggle to find consensus on two key issues.

Johnson will be joined by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), a source confirmed to The Hill.

“We’re going to be talking about the final pieces of budget reconciliation that are going to be taken up by Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committee next week,” Scalise said.

The gathering comes one day after top lawmakers held meetings with a cross section of House Republicans to discuss a pair of contentious sticking points in the Trump agenda bill, but failed to strike any agreements.

The issues potential Medicaid cuts and the deduction cap for state and local taxes (SALT) have emerged as two of the most complicated matters, as stakeholders on both sides of the debates dig in their heels.

The discord is threatening to undercut Johnson’s timeline for passing the sprawling package. Leadership is hoping the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees can hold meetings to advance their portions of the bill next week.

Medicaid is under the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and SALT falls under the Ways and Means Committee.

Guthrie huddled with moderates wary of Medicaid cuts Wednesday afternoon, then House Freedom Caucus members who are pushing for steep spending cuts in the evening. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has been directed to find at least $880 billion in spending cuts, which scorekeepers say will be difficult to achieve without making slashes to Medicaid. 

Departing the meeting, lawmakers said consensus had not been reached.

“It’s like watching the race go around the track and I think oh, here’s the winner, and it was a little further down the road,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), a member of the Freedom Caucus and the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Earlier in the day, Johnson met with a handful of Republicans pushing to increase the SALT deduction cap, but the gathering broke up without agreement on a new number.

“I think we need some more dialogue,” Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) told reporters after the huddle.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Arby’s launches new Steak Nuggets for a limited time

Arby’s Introduces Limited-Time Steak Nuggets

The chain’s new limited-time offering features bite-sized, hand-cut steak pieces seasoned with…
Over 200 international students ‘trapped’ in US are suing Trump administration

More than 200 international students ‘stranded’ in the US file lawsuit against Trump administration

Over 200 international students caught up in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown…
Trump says he's open to health care deal with Democrats as shutdown hits Day 6

Trump Open to Health Care Negotiations with Democrats Amid Day 6 of Shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he’d be open…
Trump delivers unfiltered reaction to Bad Bunny performing Super Bowl

Trump’s Candid Take on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance

Donald Trump called the NFL’s decision to give the Super Bowl halftime…
DOT chief Sean Duffy to discuss effects of government shutdown on air travel

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to Address Impact of Government Shutdown on Air Travel

() Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to talk about…
Paramount acquires Bari Weiss' The Free Press, names her top editor of CBS News

Paramount Purchases Bari Weiss’ The Free Press, Appoints Her as CBS News Chief Editor

The newly formed media corporation Paramount Skydance has acquired The Free Press,…
Supreme Court cases that could expand Trump's power

Key Supreme Court Cases That May Increase Trump’s Authority

() The start of a new U.S. Supreme Court session Monday could…
When is the Harvest Moon Supermoon? What time is first supermoon of 2025

When is the Harvest Moon Supermoon in 2025? Timing of the year’s inaugural supermoon

The supermoon can appear up to 30% brighter and 14% larger than…