• Republicans advance a significant tax cut and border security package from a key House committee.
• Conservative members who previously opposed the bill have changed their stance after negotiations.
• Speaker Mike Johnson aims for a full House vote before the end of the week.

On a rare Sunday night vote, Republicans advanced their substantial tax cut and border security package out of a key House committee, overcoming previous opposition from deficit hawks. After a weekend of negotiations, these conservative members reversed their earlier position, allowing the measure to pass with a narrow vote of 17 to 16. Speaker Mike Johnson noted that some alterations had been made but described them as merely “minor modifications” and stressed the importance of swiftly getting the bill to the House floor by week’s end, according to SFGate and LA Times.

Prior to this vote, some conservatives had aligned with Democrats, expressing concern about the impact of the bill on federal budget deficits. Their initial opposition was anticipated, with complaints that the proposed spending increases and tax cuts were front-loaded, while measures to offset these costs were back-loaded. Specifically, Republicans are advocating for quicker implementation of new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, which are currently set to start in 2029, according to India Times and New York Times.

Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas), among those who expressed reservations, argued that legislative moves were akin to "writing checks we cannot cash," warning that if substantial changes are not made, conservative support will diminish. Johnson countered these concerns by explaining that the timeline for implementing changes is structured to allow states to adjust their systems effectively, according to NPR and LA Times.

Despite the advancements in the bill's progression, concerns remain regarding its fiscal implications. Analysts estimate that it could increase the national debt by about $3.3 trillion over the next decade, provoking widespread opposition from Democrats who describe the legislation as detrimental to working-class Americans. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) described it as "one big, beautiful betrayal," while other party leaders voiced their discontent over the potential sacrifices made by constituents, according to New York Times and SFGate.

With the bill on track for a vote in the full House, Johnson is also juggling demands from centrists and GOP lawmakers pushing for a larger state and local tax deduction. The proposed legislation aims to triple the existing cap on such deductions to $30,000 for joint filers with incomes below $400,000, a provision welcomed by many in the Republican ranks, according to India Times and NPR.