GOP struggles with Trump's bill as economic concerns grow

Republicans in Congress are struggling to finalize a large bill requested by former President Donald Trump. This "big, beautiful bill" focuses on tax cuts, energy policy, and border security. However, progress has been slow, and there are worries about a potential economic downturn before any solutions can be enacted. A key concern is that important parts of Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will expire at the end of 2025. This law provided tax cuts for many, especially benefiting wealthy individuals and corporations. Trump has proposed considerable new spending, including a missile defense system that could cost trillions. He also wants to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime wages. To pass this bill, Republicans plan to use a special process called budget reconciliation. This allows them to avoid a Senate filibuster and pass the bill without Democratic support. However, Democrats are likely to oppose funding cuts to healthcare and food assistance that the GOP hopes to use to pay for these changes. Recently, Congress avoided a government shutdown by passing a temporary funding measure. However, many issues remain that could disrupt Republican plans. Republicans are concerned that tariffs imposed by Trump could lead to a recession. Additionally, Congress will need to raise the debt ceiling between July and October. If they don't, it could lead to severe financial consequences. There is disagreement among Republicans about whether to combine this issue with the reconciliation bill. Representative Nicole Malliotakis expressed the party’s concerns, saying that the business sector needs certainty and predictability. She highlighted the importance of extending the 2017 tax code and renewing expired measures to stabilize the economy.