House Republicans narrowly approved a budget framework Tuesday (Feb. 25) that would unlock a reconciliation process to advance President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy agenda, including at least $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in cuts to federal spending over ten years. The resolution passed after Republican holdouts received assurances from Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson that the partisan reconciliation bill would include even deeper spending cuts. The House resolution directs the Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion over ten years from the federal programs under its jurisdiction, including Medicaid and nursing education programs under the Public Health Service Act. The resolution also instructs the Education and Workforce Committee to reduce spending by at least $330 billion, potentially including repealing the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, increasing taxes on endowments, and requiring colleges to help pay back student loans.

The House vote came a week after senators passed a competing budget plan that envisions two separate reconciliation bills. The first measure would include up to $175 billion for border security and $150 billion in new defense spending, along with a variety of provisions designed to expand domestic energy production, with tax policies to be addressed in a second bill. Republican congressional leaders will now resume efforts to resolve their differences: the two chambers have to pass an identical budget blueprint in order to unlock the process that will prevent Senate Democrats from blocking a reconciliation bill.

The NLN is working with other nursing organizations to educate members of Congress about the impact of proposed funding cuts on nursing education, practice, and research. The associations are also urging lawmakers to include tax incentives and other investments to support academic nursing and improve access to nursing care. Legislators need to hear from nurse educators in their states and congressional districts about how funding cuts and freezes could affect academic nursing. If you haven’t done so, take action now to introduce yourself or get reacquainted with your members of Congress and offer your expertise on these important issues.