The Daily Punch The Readback: The all-night markup survival guide
May 17, 2025
Laura Weiss, a tax expert at Punchbowl News and co-author of Vault, dives into the House Ways and Means Committee's grueling 17-and-a-half-hour markup of the GOP tax bill. She shares insights from the late-night session, revealing the intense atmosphere and challenges during such marathon discussions. A heated exchange over the contested SALT Amendment highlights ideological divides within the Republican party. With a dose of humor, Weiss also recounts the amusing exhaustion of lawmakers, like a congressman dozing off mid-session.
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Inside the 17.5 Hour Markup
- Laura Weiss was present for the entire 17.5 hour House Ways and Means markup, being in the room overnight until morning.
- She experienced firsthand the atmosphere, including staff and members enduring late-night long hours.
Markup Strategy and Timing
- Markups are strategically scheduled with fast timelines and political calculations in mind.
- Night sessions can limit prolonged political debate and meet aggressive legislative deadlines.
SALT Fight: New York vs Texas
- A heated exchange on the SALT deduction erupted between Tom Suozzi and Beth Van Dyne with personal jabs about their fundraising and residency.
- This highlighted the bitter GOP divide on the blue-state tax deduction issue during the markup.