On May 22, the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”—otherwise known as the Reconciliation package, which contains a mixture of tax cuts and funding increases for the border and the military. This was largely a party-line vote, passing by a single vote, 215-214. This bill contains $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid and CHIP over the next 10 years, primarily through the implementation of work requirements, as well as the repeal of provider taxes on hospitals.
The bill has now moved to the Senate for consideration. President Trump has called on the Senate to pass its version by July 4, but many senators have expressed skepticism about meeting that timeline. The Senate Finance Committee recently released its policy framework, setting the stage for debate. As with the House version, Republican Senators are divided—some pushing for deeper budget cuts, while others advocate for stronger Medicaid protections.
Complicating matters further is the “Byrd Rule,” a set of procedural guidelines that govern what can be included in a budget reconciliation bill. These rules may pose significant challenges for Senate Republicans as they work to craft legislation that meets policy goals while also complying with Senate rules.
Now is the time to act.
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