Welcome to The Daily Politic Briefing! Good morning and thank you for joining us on this edition of The Daily Politic Briefing. Today we're covering the most pressing political developments from Washington and beyond, from GOP turmoil over Medicaid funding to heightened security concerns in Congress. Let's dive into the stories shaping today's political landscape. Today's Headlines First, we'll examine the Republican tax-and-spending package that's causing significant division within the GOP. Then, we'll look at the ongoing SALT deduction cap negotiations creating friction between the House and Senate. We'll also discuss the bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at limiting U.S. involvement with Iran, rising security concerns for lawmakers, and a landmark cryptocurrency bill poised for Senate passage. GOP Medicaid and Tax Plan Divisions Senate Majority Leader John Thune is navigating troubled waters as he attempts to unite Republicans behind their tax-and-spending package. The main point of contention? Medicaid funding. The Senate Finance Committee has proposed gradually lowering the provider tax from 6% to 3.5% by 2031 for states with expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This has alarmed moderate Republicans, with Senator Josh Hawley expressing serious concerns about defunding rural hospitals in his state. Senator Susan Collins has voiced similar worries. Meanwhile, Senator Rick Scott is pushing from the opposite direction, suggesting the plan doesn't cut spending enough. Republicans are expected to discuss these issues with CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz during their weekly lunch. SALT Deduction Standoff Moving to another contentious issue, blue-state House Republicans are firmly opposing the Senate's proposal to maintain the $10,000 state-and-local-tax deduction cap. Representative Mike Lawler didn't mince words, declaring the Senate's proposal "dead on arrival." The House had previously passed a measure increasing the cap to $40,000, creating a significant gap between the chambers. Senator Markwayne Mullin offered some flexibility, insisting the deduction is "fully open for negotiating," while Leader Thune indicated senators are prepared to "figure out a landing spot" through discussions. Green Energy Credit Negotiations On the energy front, Senate Republicans are extending some phase-out dates for credits benefitting nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower technologies, which has left GOP proponent Senator Thom Tillis "generally satisfied." They're still making significant cuts to solar, wind, and electric vehicle incentives, though conservatives like Representative Chip Roy who want a full repeal of what he calls the "Green New Scam" may push back against the Senate's more gradual approach. Rising Congressional Security Concerns Following disturbing shootings of Minnesota state lawmakers, security has become a pressing issue in Congress. Democratic Senator Tina Smith confronted GOP Senator Mike Lee over his social media post blaming "Marxists" for the violence. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Lee's comments, while Senator Mullin issued a stark warning that "it's going to take someone in the House or Senate to get hurt really bad" before security is taken more seriously. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is now asking Speaker Mike Johnson to increase funding for members' security. Bipartisan War Powers Resolution Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna are introducing a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at blocking U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran following Israel's strike. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has voiced support for the measure. Pro-Israel lawmakers like Representative Lawler oppose the resolution, which would come up as "privileged," forcing leadership to address it and potentially creating a challenge for Speaker Johnson. Cryptocurrency Legislation Advances In a significant development for the financial sector, the Senate app