Trump and his former VP aren’t on the best of terms. But now things are about to get even worse between the two.
And Donald Trump fell out of his chair thanks to what Mike Pence just did to him.
Pence’s Advancing American Freedom Urges Senate to Reshape Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Advancing American Freedom, the conservative organization led by former Vice President Mike Pence, is urging Republican senators to reshape key elements of President Donald Trump’s landmark “big, beautiful bill” to enhance its prospects of passing both chambers of Congress. In a letter sent Thursday to Senate Republicans, first collected by Fox News Digital, Chair Marc Short and President Tim Chapman outlined their vision for strengthening the House-passed legislation to better reflect conservative priorities.
The group praised House Republicans for securing “hard-fought” reforms, including changes to Medicaid, rolling back portions of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, and stopping taxpayer support for “dangerous s*x change operations.” However, Short and Chapman argued that the Senate has a critical opportunity to refine the House’s work and deliver a stronger package for the American people.
“Even still, the Senate should build on the House’s hard work to perfect the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to deliver for the American people,” they stated.
Proposed Changes to Strengthen the Bill
Advancing American Freedom proposed several significant adjustments to the legislation. The group called for reducing the corporate tax rate beyond the 21% set by Trump’s 2017 tax cut package. They also advocated for completely eliminating the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a move that could face resistance from House Republicans in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, and California.
Additionally, the organization pushed for ending all subsidies tied to the Green New Deal, a proposal that may complicate support from Senate Republicans who favor a more gradual phase-out of these programs. Finally, they emphasized removing the proposed debt limit increase, a change that could win over skeptics like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has vowed to oppose the bill if the debt ceiling provision remains.
Navigating Political Challenges
These proposed changes carry notable risks. Eliminating the SALT deduction could alienate House Republicans from blue states, with these lawmakers warning they will vote against the bill if the cap is altered.
Senate Republicans, representing no blue states, seem less concerned about this issue, revealing a potential divide between the chambers. Similarly, ending green energy subsidies outright could face pushback from Senate Republicans who prefer a more measured approach, potentially threatening the bill’s fragile support after its narrow 215-214 passage in the House last month.
The Bigger Picture
The legislation, advanced through the budget reconciliation process, represents a sweeping effort to cement Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt. At its core, the package seeks to extend or make permanent the 2017 tax cuts while addressing the national debt, which is nearing $37 trillion, with a goal of axing $1.5 trillion in federal spending.
While GOP leaders have cautioned against significant changes to the House’s version to ensure its survival, Senate Republicans are determined to pursue deeper savings. However, major alterations could jeopardize the bill’s passage in the House, where margins remain tight.
A Call to Action
Short and Chapman emphasized that the bill’s primary goal is to prevent the expiration of Trump’s tax cuts, warning of severe consequences if Congress fails to act. “If Congress gets cold feet — or fails to send the package to the president’s desk — American households will suffer a $2,100 tax increase on average,” they said.
They also framed the legislation as a vital step toward long-term reform. “[The One Big Beautiful Bill] not only defuses the looming tax bomb, it takes a first step toward entitlement reform, rebuilds the military, and ensures that our Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have the tools they need to secure the border and deport illegal aliens,” they wrote.
As the Senate prepares to debate the bill, Advancing American Freedom’s call for bold refinements sets the stage for a high-stakes battle that could define the future of Trump’s legislative legacy.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
