Johnson pushes to get House GOP holdouts to back tax bill

**Johnson Pushes to Get House GOP Holdouts to Back Tax Bill**

House Speaker Mike Johnson is intensifying efforts to rally support among Republican holdouts in the House of Representatives as the GOP attempts to pass a significant tax package. The bill, which has been a priority for House Republicans, includes extensions of business tax breaks, increases in the child tax credit, and measures aimed at economic growth. However, internal party divisions have threatened its passage, with several conservative members withholding their support.

The tax package, originally negotiated as a bipartisan deal with the Senate, is designed to balance benefits between corporations and working-class families. It includes key provisions such as restoring full expensing for research and development costs, bonus depreciation, and interest deductibility for businesses. Simultaneously, it seeks to expand the refundable portion of the child tax credit, which would provide relief to low-income families.

Despite the broad objectives, the bill has faced opposition from some House GOP members who view certain components, especially the child tax credit expansion, as welfare spending. These conservatives argue the changes could disincentivize work and represent a step back from fiscal responsibility. Additionally, others are concerned that the tax cuts are not fully offset, adding to the federal deficit.

Speaker Johnson, aware of the narrow Republican majority in the House, has launched a concerted push to bring dissenting members on board. He has held multiple closed-door meetings with lawmakers, emphasizing the economic benefits of the bill and the political necessity of showing legislative accomplishments ahead of the 2024 elections. Johnson has also highlighted the bill’s business-friendly elements as a means to appeal to fiscally conservative Republicans.

“This legislation represents a significant opportunity to support American businesses, families, and economic growth,” Johnson said during a recent press briefing. “We have worked hard to ensure it is both responsible and impactful, and I believe it deserves the support of every Republican who wants to strengthen our economy.”

Several Republicans, particularly members of the House Freedom Caucus, remain skeptical. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) expressed concern over the cost of the child tax credit provision and suggested that leadership should instead focus on broader tax reform or spending cuts. Other members are demanding policy concessions on unrelated issues, using the tax bill as leverage in internal party negotiations.

According to reports, Johnson has thought about allowing the bill to be amended or tying it to other legislative priorities to lessen opposition. However, any significant changes risk alienating Senate Democrats, who helped shape the original bipartisan framework. The Senate’s cooperation is essential for the bill to become law, meaning that House Republicans must balance intra-party demands with the need for cross-party consensus.

Business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have urged Congress to act quickly, warning that delays could harm economic momentum. These groups have lobbied Republican holdouts directly, emphasizing how tax incentives for R\&D and capital investment are vital for competitiveness and innovation.

Democrats have largely indicated support for the child tax credit provisions but remain cautious about the overall cost of the bill and its corporate tax breaks. House Democratic leaders haven't said they'll support the bill yet, but they've said they're willing to work with it if it stays close to the Senate bipartisan agreement. Johnson’s strategy reflects a delicate balancing act: appeasing fiscal hawks in his conference while preserving the core structure of a bill that has some bipartisan appeal. With the GOP’s slim House majority, nearly every vote counts, and even a handful of defections could derail the package.

A vote on the bill is expected in the coming days, with leadership aiming to move swiftly before the August recess. Failure to pass the bill would be a significant blow to Johnson and House Republicans, potentially weakening their negotiating position on future tax and spending legislation.

For now, Johnson continues to work the phones, hold meetings, and attempt to unify a fractious GOP caucus around a tax bill he argues is essential to the party’s economic message and political credibility. Whether those efforts will bear fruit remains uncertain, but the outcome could shape both the near-term economic agenda and the political landscape heading into the 2024 campaign season.