Monday, May 5th, 2025

Budget Reconciliation: As markups for some of the most contentious aspects of a budget reconciliation package approach, Republican lawmakers are continuing to refine their proposals on Medicaid and taxes. House Ways and Means Committee Republicans are planning to meet to try to finalize a tax agenda. Central to tax talks is the current $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has been assigned by far the highest level of cuts, at least $880 billion in cuts over 10 years, meaning Medicaid will be facing deep scrutiny. Meanwhile, the House Natural Resources Committee has been directed to reduce the deficit by at least $1 billion over 10 years. But committee Republicans are aiming well beyond that goal with a proposal that seeks to reduce the deficit by roughly $10 billion over 10 years, primarily through increased fossil fuel production on public lands.

Gulf of America: The House Committee on Rules will be working on H.R.276, which would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and direct federal agencies to update their documents and maps to incorporate the new name.

Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities: The House Rules Committee will also be working on H.R.881, which restricts funding to an institution of higher education (IHE) that has a relationship with a Confucius Institute, Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entity of concern. The bill defines (1) Confucius Institute as a cultural institute funded by the Chinese government; (2) Thousand Talents Program as any technological or educational program funded or administered by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and (3) Chinese entity of concern as generally any university or college in China that is involved in China's military, police, or intelligence activities.