July 25, 2025

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GOP Study Committee Prepares Second ‘Big, Beautiful’ Reconciliation Bill

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are mobilizing to draft a second major reconciliation package aimed at extending and expanding the provisions of President Trump’s July 4 “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The 189-member Republican Study Committee has launched a specialized working group, led by Chairman August Pfluger (R-Texas), to consult with senators, GOP organizations and rank-and-file members on policy ideas and timing.

Members will use the upcoming five-week August recess to refine a legislative framework that could include new tax cuts, work requirements and border-security measures. Speaker Mike Johnson has already signaled plans for at least two more reconciliation bills, with targets set for the fall and spring sessions.

Objective: Build on the first bill’s permanent tax cuts, Medicaid and SNAP work rules, and energy and defense spending.

Process: Leverage the Senate’s simple-majority reconciliation path under strict fiscal rules.

The GOP aims to sustain momentum from its trifecta control of Washington and deliver on campaign promises to drive down the cost of living and boost economic growth.

Trump Endorses Mike Rogers, Unifies Michigan GOP

President Donald Trump on July 24 endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers for Michigan’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, effectively clearing the Republican field after Rep. Bill Huizenga opted not to challenge. Trump lauded Rogers’s service “from the U.S. Army to Congress” and pledged his “complete and total endorsement” as Rogers positions himself to grow the economy, cut taxes and secure the border.

With no other GOP contenders, Rogers is now the presumptive nominee in a state Trump narrowly carried in 2020. He will face a crowded Democratic primary featuring Reps. Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow and Joe Tate, setting up one of the midterms’ most closely watched contests.

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Texas Redistricting Battle Intensifies as Dems Seek Allies

As Texas Republicans press ahead with a rare mid-decade congressional map redraw under Gov. Greg Abbott at President Trump’s urging, Democratic state legislators have taken an unprecedented step: sending delegations to California and Illinois.

By flying to Sacramento to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom and to Chicago to see Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Texas House Democrats aim to build a national coalition against what they call a “power grab” designed to help Republicans pick up as many as five additional U.S. House seats. Public hearings in Austin have already devolved into shouting matches, underscoring the deep partisan rift over the proposal.

Congressional Fight Over Transgender Troops Ban Intensifies

Congress returns from recess facing a renewed showdown over transgender troops. Lawmakers are poised to debate amendments in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and defense spending bills that would codify Trump-era limits on gender-affirming health care for active-duty personnel, veterans, civilians and their families.

Key developments include:

A Senate Armed Services amendment barring Defense Department funds for “sex-change surgeries” and restricting transgender athletes in women’s sports.

House proposals to curb hormone therapy referrals and block duty-station moves under the Exceptional Family Member Program for minors seeking transition care.

Opponents like Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Adam Smith warn these bans could erode readiness, create a two-tier medical system and set a hard-to-reverse legal precedent.

Democrats Weigh Funding Deals as Shutdown Deadline Looms

WASHINGTON — With a federal funding deadline approaching in September, Senate Democrats face a stark choice: back GOP-written spending bills under threat of executive rescissions or filibuster into a shutdown. Having been burned in March when they allowed a stopgap to advance—drawing fierce backlash from the base—Democrats are demanding new guardrails before they vote again.

Republicans just pushed through a $9 billion rescissions bill over unanimous Democratic opposition, and OMB Director Russell Vought has urged a “less bipartisan” appropriations process.

Although the Senate advanced its first spending bill (military construction and veterans programs) 90–8, Democrats are privately plotting to secure public assurances from at least four GOP senators that they will oppose any future White House clawbacks.

No one wants a shutdown, but lawmakers warn that without guarantees against unilateral cuts, Democratic support for funding measures will remain in doubt.

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GOP to Draft Second ‘Big, Beautiful’ Reconciliation Bill During August Recess