It’s a gross Wednesday in D.C. Someone pointed out that every day for the next nine days will be the same backwards — today is 5/21/25.
In today’s issue:
- The latest plan for Trump agenda vote
- Johnson scrambles to corral GOP, hints at potential delay
- Rep. Gerry Connolly died
- Social media mocks ‘Republican makeup’
⏱️ON CAPITOL HILL
Can Mike Johnson pull this off?:
What a wild day on Capitol Hill. House Republican leaders are racing through President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” today, hoping to get fractured GOP factions on the same page.
The powerful House Rules Committee started its workday at 1 a.m. (not a typo) to sift through the package. 💻 Livestream
We’re all waiting for Republican leadership to announce its negotiated changes to the bill, which would then trigger the committee vote.
Passing through this committee is the last step before the bill hits the House floor. Meanwhile, Republican leaders are scrambling to cobble together enough votes. Remember: Only three Republicans can vote “no.”
Where things stand: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) cut a deal with moderate Republicans last night to increase the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. That’s one step forward for getting those lawmakers to vote “yes,” but it may be a hard sell for House conservatives. 📝5 things to know about SALT
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who has been a key holdout, told The Hill this morning that he’s still a “no” on the package.
Another layer to the chaos: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its assessment of the bill Tuesday night. It found that if passed, the bill would add $2.3 trillion to the national deficit over 10 years. It would also force nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts (!)
⌚ The latest on timing: Johnson has lowered expectations for a House vote today on the bill. On Wednesday morning he said he was expecting a vote later in the day but now says there’s a “chance” for a vote before Thursday. Nothing has been scheduled yet — and it first needs to advance out of the House Rules Committee.
House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) predicted to Newsmax this morning that there’s “no way” this bill passes today. But Harris later said his caucus is working on a deal with the White House to unlock their support. Keep an eye out for this today.
The ideological significance of this bill: The Wall Street Journal points out that “Trump’s economic agenda hinges on [a] tax bill that divides his own party.”
🔎What’s in the 1,116-page bill
➤ MORE READS:
The New York Times: Why Washington’s Huge Tax Bill Is Worrying Bond Investors
Politico: GOP hard-liners threatening late revolt over megabill
The Atlantic: Trump Is Tired of Courts Telling Him He’s Breaking the Law
It’s rare that everyone agrees on something:
The Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to eliminate federal income tax on cash tips. It would allow up to $25,000 in tips to be deducted.
The proposal gained steam when President Trump mentioned it on the campaign trail last year. Then-Vice President Harris agreed, propelling it into the spotlight. What we know about the proposal
What now?: It will head to the House where it is expected to be passed — either as part of the “big, beautiful bill” or as a stand-alone bill.
➤ TIDBIT — WE’RE ON ANNOUNCEMENT WATCH:
Punchbowl reports that Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is planning to announce his run for governor of Alabama during Memorial Day recess.
🕊️️ NEWS THIS MORNING
Rest in peace, congressman:
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) has died at the age of 75 after a short battle with cancer.
He recently announced that he would step down as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee and wouldn’t seek reelection.
How he will be remembered: Connolly was a fiery veteran Democrat on Capitol Hill. He was particularly feisty advocate for Washington institutions following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
House Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) announced the news during their marathon hearing this morning. The committee had a moment of silence. 📹 Watch
This is a sad but notable stat: The last eight members of Congress to die in office have all been Democrats. Three House Democrats have died since March, and since 2020, 14 lawmakers have died while in office — 10 of which were Democrats and four Republicans.
Update on the deportation flight decision:
“A federal appeals court judge appointed by President Trump rebuked the Supreme Court for blocking the administration from swiftly deporting a group of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act,” reports The Hill’s Zach Schonfeld.
Keep in mind: “On Friday, the Supreme Court in an apparent 7-2 vote ruled the administration cannot use the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members detained in portions of Texas as their legal challenge proceeds.”
➤ TIDBIT — WANNA KNOW WHO IS MOST VOCAL SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IS?:
It’s Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, according to an analysis of court documents from The Hill’s courts team. Psst, click here to sign up to receive their weekly newsletter!
COMING UP
The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)
12:45 p.m.: Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
4 p.m.: Trump hosts the University of Florida’s men’s basketball team to celebrate their 2025 NCAA title. 💻 Livestream
🐝 INTERNET BUZZ
🍓 Celebrate: Today is National Strawberries and Cream Day.
💄 The talk of TikTok: Some social media users have been mocking what they call “Republican makeup.” I would describe the stereotype as a heavy makeup look with bold eyebrows, full foundation, dark eye shadow and matte lipstick. Washingtonian published an explainer on the social media trend.
⛽ Some good news for the long weekend: Memorial Day weekend gas prices are expected to be the cheapest in years. Travel for the long weekend is also expected to break a record, per AAA.
👋 AND FINALLY…
Because I thoroughly enjoyed watching this, wanna see a magic trick? You can make a dog appear.