May 9

Written By DSEANTE PARKS

This week in MORE POWER:

Budget Struggle

Renaming the Gulf

Stopping Organ Trafficking

Transparent Exports

Standing with Taiwan

Budget Struggle

This week, Congress continued tense negotiations over the massive budget and tax package, with major disagreements still unresolved. Some Republicans from high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, and California are demanding changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, a rule that limits how much state and local taxes people can deduct from their federal taxes. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and others have warned they won’t support the bill unless that cap is raised, while Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) are struggling to balance competing demands. Johnson distanced himself from a recent $30,000 SALT proposal and urged fellow Republicans to negotiate privately instead of airing frustrations publicly. 

President Donald Trump has added pressure by calling for a higher tax rate on ultra-wealthy Americans and pushing to close a tax loophole used by investors– moves that could reshape the Republicans’ approach. Meanwhile, House and Senate Republicans remain divided over how much to cut from Medicaid, the public health insurance program for people with low incomes. Johnson removed some proposed changes but left others, such as spending caps, on the table. Lawmakers are also debating changes to federal pensions and a $60 billion "skinny" farm bill, but they are still waiting on official cost estimates and whether those ideas comply with budget rules. With time running short, Republican leaders are aiming to pass the package by Memorial Day, or risk needing Democratic support later.

 Renaming the Gulf

The House passed a bill that seeks to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on Thursday with a vote of 211-206. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced H.R. 276, The Gulf of America Act, in January, shortly before President Trump signed an executive order to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The bill would require all federal documents, maps, and rules to use the new name. Federal agencies would have 180 days to make the updates if this becomes law. It’s now up to The Senate to pass or block the bill.

Stopping Organ Trafficking

Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced H.R. 1503, The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act, in February in response to years of testimony he has heard in committee hearings. The bill seeks to end forced organ removal by requiring the president to impose penalties on individuals found guilty of organ trafficking. It would require the president to report a list of those involved to Congress and authorize the Department of State to deny or remove passports for individuals tied to these activities. The bill passed the House on Wednesday in a 406-1 vote and now heads to the Senate.

Transparent Exports

The House passed a bill on Monday that aims to enhance transparency in United States export controls. H.R. 1316, the Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act, would require the Department of Commerce (DOC) to submit detailed reports to Congress every 90 days that include what items were approved or denied for export, along with other requests related to items controlled under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. The goal is to help the United States better watch and follow its export rules. This bill heads to the Senate next.

Standing with Taiwan

The House passed a bill on Monday called H.R. 2416, The Taiwan International Solidarity Act. This bill requires the United States to stand up to China if it tries to change how global groups treat Taiwan. It would change a 2019 law, The TAIPEI Act of 2019, to make that rule stronger. Supporters argue the bill helps protect Taiwan and shows that the United States is a good ally, while those opposed believe it might make China upset and hurt relationships with other countries.

Bills Congress Passed

Nothing. 

Nothing. 

What The President Signed Into Law

Nothing.

That’s your weekly roundup! My niece is asking if you’ve shared MORE POWER with your people yet.

DSEANTE PARKS
Next

May 2