Inside Congress’s Push for Trump’s Major Legislation
By LISA MASCARO
AP Congressional Correspondent
The Legislative Landscape
Congress is currently engrossed in crafting President Donald Trump’s ambitious legislation, which combines tax breaks, spending cuts, and increased funding aimed at controlling migration. However, the road ahead is complicated. Republican leaders, notably House Speaker Mike Johnson, express optimism about passing the package by Memorial Day, but many challenges remain.
Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, has publicly acknowledged the difficulties ahead. The tax cuts component is still being finalized, along with planned reductions to critical government programs like Medicaid and food assistance. Meanwhile, Republicans have successfully advanced parts of the bill that focus on increasing expenditures, allocating a substantial $350 billion to the Pentagon and Homeland Security.
Committee Progress and Party Lines
Currently, 11 House committees are engaged in drafting their specific bills, of which nearly half are complete. The approval process has largely followed party lines, with Republicans backing the initiatives and Democrats opposing them. Notably, the more influential committees, such as Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, have yet to present their proposals.
Speaker Johnson has indicated that while the initial Memorial Day timeline may be optimistic, he remains committed to keeping the process on track.
Migration and Border Security Initiatives
Two critical committees are focusing on immigration and border security, with the Homeland Security Committee leading the charge. Their proposed bill includes a hefty $46.5 billion earmarked for continuing the construction of Trump’s border wall, with plans for 700 miles of primary wall and 900 miles of river barriers.
Additionally, the bill outlines funds for hiring 3,000 new Border Patrol agents and 5,000 customs officers, alongside retention bonuses for existing staff. Overall, the Homeland Security Committee has put forth an impressive $69 billion in new spending to combat immigration challenges.
On another front, the Judiciary Committee has finished its own legislation, proposing to implement a $1,000 fee for asylum seekers—marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. This bill further seeks to impose several new fees for different paths to entry, aiming to facilitate the removal of 1 million undocumented immigrants annually while increasing detention resources.
Defense Spending Revolution
Under the direction of the House Armed Services Committee, defense spending proposals have skyrocketed beyond initial expectations. Their plan includes a striking $150 billion allocation to the Pentagon and national security initiatives, far exceeding their target.
The bill highlights include funds for the much-discussed “Golden Dome for America,” a missile defense shield, alongside substantial investments in replenishing ammunition supplies. Proponents also emphasize the importance of enhancing the naval fleet and improving factors affecting servicemember quality of life.
Transforming Education and Student Loans
The Education and Workforce Committee is revamping the student loan repayment landscape, proposing $330 billion in budget cuts. Their plan simplifies repayment options, replacing existing arrangements with just two: a standard plan and an income-based assistance plan.
While aimed at creating more manageable payments, critics argue that the new measures will ultimately burden low-income borrowers more heavily. Additionally, the bill aims to reverse Biden-era policies that facilitated loan cancellations for students defrauded by their institutions.
Cuts to Federal Employee Benefits
Another contentious proposal comes from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which targets federal workers’ pensions for a projected $50.9 billion in budgetary savings.
Proposed changes would require older federal employees to increase their contributions to the retirement system and alter eligibility calculations for pension payments. Many see this as a detrimental shift that would siphon income from middle-class federal employees, sparking significant debate within Congress.
Expanding Natural Resource Development
In an effort to boost the economy and increase energy production, the House Natural Resources Committee is planning legislation that aligns with Trump’s previous executive orders. This includes expanding public lands leasing for natural resource extraction and reducing royalty rates for companies that extract fossil fuels.
Supporters argue that this would enhance revenue generation; however, opponents raise concerns about the potential long-term environmental impacts and industry viability amid a broader shift toward renewable energy sources.
This legislative framework reflects some of the most significant changes debated in Congress today, mapping out a transformative agenda with wide-ranging implications for immigration policy, defense spending, education reforms, federal employee benefits, and natural resource management. The journey ahead promises to be eventful as negotiations continue and the deadline approaches.
