President Donald Trump‘s administration is pressuring congressional Republican lawmakers to pass the president’s tax and spending legislation, better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by the self-imposed July 4 deadline, even as some leaders question if the deadline is feasible.
“We expect that bill to be on the president’s desk for signature by July 4,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a Thursday afternoon briefing. “I know that there was a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian this morning. Look, this is part of the process. This is part of the inner workings of the United States Senate, but the president is adamant about seeing this bill on his desk here at the White House by Independence Day.”
Earlier on Thursday, the Senate Parliamentarian dealt Senate Republicans a massive blow by ruling against including cost-saving provisions related to Medicaid in the legislation. The House passed and sent to the Senate its version of the megabill last month.
Furious Republicans have called for the firing of Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters he would not fire or overrule her.
Leavitt said she hadn’t spoken with the president about firing MacDonough but would allow him to speak on the issue.
OBAMACARE ABORTION FUNDING RESTRICTION NIXED FROM MEGABILL BY PARLIAMENTARIAN
“He remains very much engaged in these conversations, and in this process, with lawmakers in both the Senate and the House side,” she added.
GOP lawmakers are now signaling that they won’t pass the domestic policy bill before the July holiday. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said he thinks the vote will be postponed. If the legislation isn’t passed, lawmakers could be forced to forgo parts of their holiday recess.
Trump is expected to host an event at the White House later on Thursday to tout the One Big Beautiful Bill.