House Republicans Release Budget Plan Focused on Trump’s Priorities

House Republicans unveiled their budget plan Wednesday, laying the groundwork for advancing key domestic priorities aligned with President Donald Trump, The Associated Press reports.

The proposal includes significant tax cuts totaling up to $4.5 trillion and a $4 trillion increase in the debt limit, allowing the US to continue financing its obligations.

The plan also directs House committees to cut spending by at least $1.5 trillion, aiming for $2 trillion in cuts over the next decade. This blueprint initiates a legislative process that could allow Republicans to pass their priorities with a simple majority vote. The House Budget Committee is set to vote on the plan Thursday, with Speaker Mike Johnson predicting its easy passage.

While Johnson aims for a swift process, internal divisions within the Republican conference persist. Some Republicans seek larger tax cuts, while others demand steeper spending cuts than those outlined in the budget.

Beyond a general policy statement, the 45-page plan instructs House committees to restructure federal funding. GOP leaders are reportedly considering cuts to social services, especially Medicaid, to achieve significant savings.

The proposed cuts target specific committees:

•  Energy and Commerce Committee (Healthcare): $880 billion over ten years.

•  Education and Workforce Committee: $330 billion in reductions.

•  Agriculture Committee: $230 billion in savings.

•  Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: At least $10 billion through 2034.

While some programs face cuts, the budget prioritizes funding for Trump’s initiatives, including a $100 billion boost for defense and $90 billion for the Homeland Security Department, which oversees immigration enforcement.

Democrats Sharply Criticize Plan

House Democrats have strongly condemned the budget plan, expressing concerns about its potential impact on the social safety net. Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, warned that the tax cuts wouldn’t generate enough economic growth to offset their costs, leading to cuts in vital government programs like Medicaid.

Republicans maintain they don’t intend to reduce benefits for those relying on Medicaid but are considering requiring able-bodied Americans to work as a condition of participation.

To partly offset the cost of extending Trump-era tax cuts, Republicans are also eyeing the repeal of clean-energy tax credits championed by Democrats under former President Joe Biden.

Senate Republicans Pursue Different Path

As House Republicans move forward, their Senate counterparts are pursuing a narrower approach focused on boosting border security and defense spending.

This split reflects an ongoing debate about enacting Trump’s agenda in one or two legislative packages. The Senate is moving on a two-bill track, while the House favors a single bill. The ultimate outcome remains uncertain.

The Senate Budget Committee advanced its narrower plan on Wednesday along party lines, allocating $175 billion for border security, $150 billion for defense, and $20 billion for the Coast Guard. It omits tax-cut extensions, deferring that issue to a later bill.

Senate Republicans rejected Democratic amendments aimed at protecting Medicaid and SNAP from cuts. Sen. Jeff Merkley, the committee’s top Democrat, stated the amendments sought to ensure the process wouldn’t raise healthcare costs and other vital services for Americans.