**House Republicans Struggle with Trump’s Tax and Immigration Proposal Amid Intense Debates**

House Republicans are grappling with internal divisions as they attempt to push forward President Donald Trump's extensive tax and immigration package. The House Rules Committee began a marathon debate session at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, aiming to set the stage for a pivotal vote that would advance the legislation to the House floor. Amidst these deliberations, President Trump is scheduled to meet South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House.

As discussions continued, members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus indicated that while progress was being made on the legislative package, it still did not fully meet their standards. "We're going to work with our colleagues, work with the White House to continue to deliver what the president campaigned on," stated Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). Meanwhile, tensions flared as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) criticized the proposal during the House committee hearing, arguing that it would result in detrimental cuts to healthcare services.

In another development, Democratic Rep. Monica McIver (New Jersey) is set to make her first court appearance on Wednesday on charges of assaulting two federal agents. This hearing comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, with the case marking the rare prosecution of a sitting member of Congress for a confrontation where no injuries occurred.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) negotiated with blue-state Republicans late Tuesday to raise the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. This adjustment addresses one of the major points of contention in the bill. However, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Maryland), head of the House Freedom Caucus, expressed skepticism about the direction of the negotiations, stating, "This bill actually got worse overnight."

The proposed tax and immigration legislation has significant fiscal implications, with Congress’s nonpartisan bookkeeper reporting that it could necessitate nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts by 2026. The House Rules Committee has been debating the package for over eight hours without any signs of a conclusion. Republican leaders are contending with the challenge of accommodating fiscal hawks within their ranks, while also managing talks over the controversial SALT provision.

The situation remains fluid as GOP leaders look to draft a "manager's amendment" to reflect any last-minute deals, including potential compromises on the SALT deduction. However, under questioning, Rep. Jason T. Smith (R-Missouri), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, refrained from speculating on any SALT agreement, pointing only to the current language of the proposal.

The ongoing debates were temporarily halted by the somber news of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-Virginia) passing, underscoring the heightened emotions and stakes surrounding the legislative process.