President Donald Trump just gave Senate Republicans a green light to overhaul his hard-won tax and border bill.
The Washington Times reported that the House squeaked by with a one-vote margin on Thursday, passing a bill stuffed with Trump’s tax cuts, border security funds, and defense priorities, but now the Senate’s ready to take a hacksaw to it.
Senate Republicans, eyeing a July 4 deadline set by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, plan to tweak Medicaid reforms and fast-track the rollback of Biden-era green energy tax credits. Speaker Mike Johnson’s pleas for restraint seem to be falling on deaf ears.
Trump’s been working the phones and hosting Freedom Caucus members at the White House to lock in GOP support. His Capitol visit on Tuesday was a masterclass in arm-twisting, ensuring the House’s razor-thin victory. Yet, the Senate’s itching to leave its mark, and Trump’s surprisingly fine with it.
“I want the Senate and the senators to make the changes they want,” Trump declared, signaling an openness to revisions that could reshape his signature legislation. He’s betting the House will stomach the Senate’s tweaks, even if they ruffle feathers. Sounds like a high-stakes poker game where Trump’s all-in.
“Some will be minor, some will be fairly significant,” Trump added, practically winking at the Senate’s ambitious plans. His confidence suggests he’s already got a few aces up his sleeve. Or maybe he just loves the chaos.
Johnson, meanwhile, is sweating bullets, urging the Senate to “fine-tune this product as little as possible.” He knows the House’s fragile coalition could crumble if the Senate gets too creative. Good luck selling that to a chamber full of big ideas.
The House vote was a nail-biter, passing by a single vote after intense lobbying from Trump himself. The Freedom Caucus, wined and dined at the White House, proved crucial in getting it over the line. That kind of unity is rarer than a unicorn in Washington.
Johnson’s been candid with Senate Republicans about the House’s tightrope act. Forming that majority was like herding cats in a thunderstorm. Any major Senate changes could send the whole deal crashing down.
Senate Republican leader John Thune is keeping his cards close, refusing to commit to a firm timeline. But with Bessent pushing for a July 4 finish line, the pressure’s on. The Senate’s not exactly known for speed, so this could get interesting.
Senate Republicans are eyeing Medicaid reforms as a prime target for their revisions. They’re also keen on accelerating the rollback of green energy tax credits, a remnant of Biden’s climate agenda that’s long been a conservative punching bag. It’s a bold move, but will it fly back in the House?
Another Senate idea involves selling spectrum licenses, a less flashy but potentially lucrative addition.
These changes aren’t just tweaks—they could redefine the bill’s core. Trump’s blessing gives them momentum, but the House looms as the final hurdle.
Johnson’s warnings highlight the risk: the House’s coalition is as sturdy as a house of cards in a windstorm. He’s begged the Senate to keep changes minimal, but Trump’s enthusiasm for “significant” revisions suggests otherwise. The Speaker’s in for a long summer.
Trump’s willingness to let the Senate run wild is a calculated gamble. He’s banking on his influence to push any revised bill through the House, even if it means more late-night dealmaking. The man’s never shied away from a fight.
