WASHINGTON (AP) — Tax breaks tallying more than $5 trillion — but also sizable reductions in Medicaid health care, food stamps and green energy strategies to fight climate change — faced sharp debate as House lawmakers slogged through marathon overnight hearings on Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.”
Tensions rose and emotions flared as the hours dragged on into early Wednesday morning. House Republicans are working to push President Donald Trump’s signature legislative package through a gauntlet of committees and mounting opposition from Democrats, advocacy groups and even some wary Republicans themselves.
Right from the start, one meeting was immediately disrupted by protesters shouting down what the panel’s top Democrat called “cruel” cuts to Medicaid.
“People feel very strong because they know they’re losing their health care,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Tuesday afternoon.
And on it went. As midnight passed, two panels were still going, processing more than 100 amendments from Democrats that were largely failing, as Republicans marched ahead with their plan.
