A provision in House Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” passed Thursday would ban Medicaid from covering gender-affirming health care for transgender people of all ages, a last-minute addition to the measure with the potential to upend care for hundreds of thousands of trans Americans.
An earlier version of the bill would have also barred coverage for transition-related care, but only for minors. House Republican leadership unveiled the change and several others late ...
Month: May 2025
States should cut the federal cord and end dependency on Washington
In most blue states at least, President Trump’s second term is creating a battle over how the states can use federal money. Many Democratic governors are suddenly defending state control and pushing back against Washington’s influence.
But the reality is that too many states resemble satellites orbiting Washington rather than sovereign governments charting their own course.
In 2022, more than half of Louisiana and Alaska’s budget came from federal funds. Twenty stat...
House passes Trump agenda bill, hitting Medicaid, Affordable Care Act
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Winners and losers as House approves Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
House Republicans on Thursday approved a massive legislative package comprising the major pieces of President Trump's domestic agenda, including tax cuts, an immigration crackdown and sharp cuts in Medicaid.
The vote defied the skeptics who thought it impossible to unite the feuding factions of the House GOP behind so large a bill. And it marked a huge political victory for Trump, whose approval rating is well underwater, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who has face...
‘Pro-worker priorities’? Trump’s budget offers the exact opposite | Steven Greenhouse
The ‘big, beautiful’ measure going through Congress would cut health, food and education benefits – and offer a huge boost to the richest
With Donald Trump pushing hard to give big tax cuts to the rich and do huge favors for crypto billionaires, it was jarring to see a photo of a Trump aide carrying a sign that said: “President Trump’s Pro-Worker Priorities”. The aide was about to place the sign on Trump’s lectern; it mentioned such “pro-worker priorities” as ending federal taxes on ...
Trump’s IVF report generates buzz and caution ahead of release
A highly anticipated White House report about in vitro fertilization (IVF) and infertility that could make sweeping recommendations on making the procedure more accessible is now in the hands of President Trump and may be released soon.
Representatives from IVF advocacy groups, for-profit clinics, and conservative think tanks have been meeting regularly with administration officials since February, when Trump signed an executive order calling for a menu of recommendations to im...
Trump’s gambit of withholding federal dollars will be ruled unconstitutional
Among the tools the Trump administration is using to get states, local governments, nonprofits and schools to agree with its directives is the withholding of federal dollars. Although the government can use the power of the purse to accomplish many things, the courts have also drawn lines on the limits of its use. There are, in fact, unconstitutional conditions that can be attached to spending power.
The power of the purse — or the ability to appropriate money, as located in A...
The Senate shouldn’t sacrifice its filibuster to score political points
In his very first speech as Senate majority leader in January, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said, "And one of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate. That means preserving the legislative filibuster — the Senate rule that today has perhaps the greatest impact in preserving the Founders’ vision of the Senate." This was a wise and prudent way to maintain the institutional strength of the nation's upper chamber.
This week, however, that strong in...
Trump drops f-bomb, pressures Republicans to get in line behind his legislation
President Trump on Tuesday pressed House Republicans to fall in line behind a massive bill containing key pieces of his agenda, giving lawmakers clarity about where he stands on some of the package’s biggest sticking points during a rare trip to the Capitol.
Trump pushed moderate Republicans from blue states to give up their fight over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, while warning members not to “f--- with Medicaid” as some lawmakers eye changes to the program.
...
Progressive knives come out for Democrat behind Trump impeachment push
Progressive knives are out for Rep. Shri Thanedar (D), a Michigan lawmaker who has emerged as something of a lightning rod within his party as he braces for a potentially tough reelection fight.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) last week became the first House Democrat this cycle to back a primary challenger to an incumbent when she threw her support behind Thanedar’s progressive rival, arguing Thanedar has failed his constituents. Meanwhile, the second-term lawmaker has drawn cri...