This week, President Trump’s battle over the “Big, Beautiful Bill” has officially transitioned to the Senate, marking the Chamber of Commerce’s first full in-person session since the House approved the extensive package last month.
Senate Republicans are preparing to refine the massive bill, which may involve cutting various provisions, such as reducing spending, modifying Medicaid, or scaling back incentives for green energy tax credits.
The Chamber of Commerce has laid out an ambitious timeline, with Republican leaders aiming to deliver the package to Trump by July 4th. This leaves limited time for the Senate to enact changes prior to final approval and printing. The acceleration of this process is set to commence this week.
In related developments, House Republicans are pushing for billions in funding to formally establish the government efficiencies (DOGE) cuts initiated during Trump’s early administration. They are awaiting the White House to release funding packages amounting to billions. Additionally, lawmakers in the House will discuss a bill to honor the second half of a report on esophageal cancer, introduced by Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
Meanwhile, a committee in the Capitol is scheduled to hold a hearing regarding the White House’s 2026 budget request as Congress gears up for upcoming spending debates.
Senate dives into “big, beautiful bills”
This week, Senate Republicans are set to work on Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” as party leaders respond to self-imposed deadlines.
Both conservative and moderate factions are keen to ensure their voices are heard regarding potential modifications to spending cuts, Medicaid reforms, green energy tax credit rollbacks, and increases in state and local tax (SALT) credits.
While it remains unclear which specific provisions the Senate will consider, Senate Majority Leader John Tune (Rs.D.) indicated changes are forthcoming without specifying what they entail.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has encouraged the Senate to make minimal alterations, emphasizing the numerous negotiations that enabled the House bill to pass by a narrow margin. Meanwhile, Trump, who has been somewhat reticent recently, hinted at embracing the upcoming tweaks.
“I want the senators to make the changes they see fit. They can return home and determine if we can secure them,” Trump stated. “In some instances, the changes may align with my views, to be candid.”
“I believe we will achieve this,” he remarked about the package. “Some changes will be minor, while others will be quite significant.”
Senate Republicans will closely monitor developments as Congress engages with critical aspects of the legislation.
Despite anticipated challenges, Republican leaders remain committed to presenting the package for Trump’s signature by July 4th, a timeline Johnson reiterated on Sunday.
“Yes, they’ve always underestimated us,” the speaker commented during an NBC “Meet the Press” appearance when questioned about meeting the deadline. “I mentioned I would accomplish it outside before the holiday, and I was met with skepticism earlier this year.”
“All these extraordinary benefits we discuss must be implemented as swiftly as possible,” he added. “I’m confident the Senate will act appropriately and return it to us. We’ll get it to the president’s desk, and we’ll all celebrate Independence Day when he signs it into law by July 4th.”
House GOP awaits rescue package from the White House
This week, the White House intends to submit a package to secure $9.4 billion in funding as Republicans work to formalize changes established by DOGE.
It remains uncertain whether the White House will formally submit a legislative measure referred to as a retirement package. A representative from the Office of Management and Budget indicated that the initiative would target public broadcasting entities supporting NPR and PBS and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Last week, Johnson assured that the House would act “rapidly” on this package.
“. @elonmusk and the entire @doge team have done an outstanding job in exposing waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government— from the absurdities of USAID spending to uncovering over 12 million individuals on social security who are supposedly 120 years or older,” he tweeted. “The House is eager and prepared to react to DOGE’s findings, allowing for even more cuts to the enormous government that President Trump seeks and demands from Americans.”
However, progress on the package is already behind schedule. The White House initially aimed to send a retirement package to the House by April 28th but postponed this date to focus on advancing the “big, beautiful bill” filled with Trump’s legislative priorities.
Meanwhile, conservatives remain eager for the House to formalize the cuts made by DOGE. Last week, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) confirmed the rescue package’s impending arrival to the House, stating on x: “Personally, I want to pass DOGE Cuts every week until an out-of-control government is under control.”
Panel begins deliberations on Trump’s budget requests
As the panel prepares for the government’s funding deadline on September 30, House and Senate committees are scheduled to conduct multiple hearings this week regarding Trump’s 2026 budget requests.
The White House released its initial budget request earlier last month, which featured significant cuts to non-defense programs alongside increased funding for defense and border security. Last week, the administration published over 1,200 pages detailing the proposed cuts for the president’s budget requests.
Several panels will release these details this week.
Tuesday:
- 10am: The Senate Budget Committee on Labor, Health and Welfare, Education and Related Institutions reviews budget requests for the education sector
- Witness: Education Secretary Linda McMahon
- 2:30pm: Senate Budget Committee on Financial Services and General Government reviews the Securities and Exchange Commission’s budget request
- Witness: Paul S. Atkins, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission
Wednesday:
- 10am: House Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development reviews Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) budget requests
- Witness: Chris Rochero, FAA Deputy Administrator
- 10am: Senate Budget Subcommittee on Commercial, Judicial, Science and Related Institutions reviews the Department of Commerce’s budget request
- Witness: Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary
Thursday:
- 11am: House Budget Subcommittee on Commercial, Justice, Science and Related Institutions confirms Department of Commerce budget requests
- Witness: Lutnick
House of Representatives votes for the esophageal cancer bill in honor of Connolly
This week, the House of Representatives will vote on a bill requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to prepare a report on esophageal cancer, in memory of Connolly, who passed away from illness last month.
The Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act was advanced by the House Oversight Committee on the same day of Connolly’s passing last month. Initially introduced by Connolly, the bill has since been renamed in his honor.
“I know I’m not alone; many of my colleagues on the Republican Committee viewed Jerry Connolly as an ally,” stated James Kommer (R-Ky.), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee and co-sponsor of the bill. “Esophageal cancer is among the deadliest and fastest-growing cancer diagnoses in America today. I was proud to introduce the bill alongside my friend Jerry Connolly. I urge my colleagues to support this practical, bipartisan legislation and contribute to the fight against esophageal cancer.”
Source: thehill.com