Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 1: Republicans in the US House are facing internal rifts and policy disputes as they attempt to stitch together President Donald Trump’s expansive domestic agenda into a single legislative package. Though still in the early stages, the push to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, boost military and immigration spending, and raise the debt ceiling has already sparked resistance within GOP ranks.

Fresh off a recess, House committees have started shaping their respective portions of the package. However, disagreements over spending cuts even the relatively modest ones have surfaced, offering a glimpse of tougher debates ahead on more politically sensitive areas like Medicaid.

A proposal to introduce a $20 annual fee on most passenger vehicles was abruptly withdrawn from the House Transportation Committee’s draft after a conservative backlash. Rep Sam Graves, R-Mo., the committee chair, pulled the idea following objections from members like Rep Scott Perry, R-Pa, who branded it a ‘car tax.’ In its place, the panel raised the electric vehicle fee to $250 and trimmed funding for air traffic modernization.

Meanwhile, on the judiciary committee, Rep Darrell Issa’s plan to include a ‘gold card’ visa proposal that would allow wealthy foreigners to buy legal residency for $5 million was shot down. Issa blamed the move on hardliners like Rep Chip Roy, R-Texas, who opposed expanding visa programmes even those promising revenue.

“I got screwed out of the gold card,” Issa said, expressing frustration over missed financial opportunities to fund the broader bill.

In the Education and Workforce Committee, chair Tim Walberg, R-Mich, advanced a $351 billion cut to student loan programmes. His ‘risk-sharing’ plan would hold colleges partly responsible for unpaid loans, a move sharply criticized by Democrats.

Despite these initial hurdles, GOP leaders remain optimistic. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, aims to have the full package ready for Senate review by Memorial Day, though that timeline is tight.

However, the real showdown may lie ahead as Republicans debate potential cuts to Medicaid. The Energy and Commerce Committee, tasked with identifying $880 billion in savings, will begin its markup on May 7. With moderates warning against deep Medicaid cuts and budget hawks demanding steep reductions, the path forward remains uncertain.

Sen Lindsey Graham, R-SC, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, said Republicans will focus on adding work requirements for Medicaid recipients. “If we fail, I think we’ll pay a heavy price,” Graham warned.

Meanwhile, Republicans from high-tax states like New York and California are lobbying for relief on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, which is being negotiated in the Ways and Means Committee.

With a narrow 220-213 majority, every Republican vote counts and every policy decision has the potential to stall Trump’s legislative ambitions.