Politics
‘Insulting’: Republican Backlash Erupts Over Mike Johnson’s Tax Deal
By Jake Beardslee · May 10, 2025
NY Republicans Push Back Against SALT Deal
A coalition of House Republicans from New York issued a rebuke on Thursday to a proposed compromise on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, threatening to derail a key component of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. Greg Nash/Pool via USA TODAY NET
SALT Deduction Plan from House Leadership Met with Swift Opposition
The proposal, introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), would raise the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $30,000—triple the amount allowed under the 2017 Trump tax law. But the offer was quickly dismissed by several New York Republicans, who issued a joint statement rejecting the plan outright. Office of Speaker Mike Johnson / Wikimedia
Johnson’s $30K SALT Cap Offer Quickly Rejected
“We reject this offer,” wrote Reps. Elise Stefanik, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler. They condemned the proposal as “insulting” and criticized House leadership for advancing it “with no notice or agreement,” despite ongoing negotiations. Elijah Mears / Unsplash
Lawmakers Call Proposal ‘Insulting’
“We’ve negotiated in good faith on SALT from the start—fighting for the taxpayers we represent in New York,” the lawmakers said. Towfiqu barbhuiya / Unsplash
GOP Members Say Leadership Knew Offer Would Fail
“Yet with no notice or agreement, the Speaker and the House Ways and Means Committee unilaterally proposed a flat $30,000 SALT cap—an amount they already knew would fall short of earning our support," the statement continued. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
Republicans Cite Tax Inequity for High-Tax States
The lawmakers argued that the cap adjustment fails to address long-standing inequities in the tax code, particularly for high-tax states like New York. Laurenz Heymann / Unsplash
‘It’s a Matter of Fairness,’ Say New York Delegation
“New Yorkers already send far more to Washington than we get back—unlike many so-called ‘low-tax’ states that depend heavily on federal largesse,” the group stated. “A higher SALT cap isn’t a luxury. It’s a matter of fairness.” Jp Valery / Unsplash
Proposal Could Undermine Trump’s Signature Tax Plan
They further warned that the proposal “risks derailing President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax package tied closely to the administration’s economic plans. The White House / Wikimedia