Tax provisions will be the deal-breaker for next GOP reconciliation bill, Smith says

Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith says he won’t back the GOP’s next budget reconciliation measure unless it includes tax provisions, signaling internal pressure as Republicans shape a potential third reconciliation package that could include health-care reforms, energy-permitting tweaks, and other priorities. Johnson has not publicly committed to tax inclusion, highlighting the ongoing scramble to gather enough votes in a razor-thin majority. The live updates also touch on Senate vetting of Hal Duncan for deputy director of the OMB and broader budget/legislation battles, including discussions around Section 702 surveillance and cryptocurrency tax rules.