“Blaming Trump”: Who Was President When H.R. 8445 Was Introduced—and Who’s in Charge?
A talking point you may hear is that “Trump started this bill” or “Trump’s allies kept it going.” Let’s unpack the timeline—and why that framing doesn’t actually track.
- When was H.R. 8445 introduced? It was officially introduced on May 17, 2024, during the 118th U.S. Congress.
- Who was president then? President Joe Biden was in office—his term began January 20, 2021. Donald Trump was not in office at that time, nor was he involved in drafting or introducing the bill.
- Who introduced the bill? The bill was sponsored by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R‑PA) and co‑sponsored by Rep. Max Miller (R‑OH). Culture WarsCongress.gov
- So why the Trump talk? Some commentators frame support for H.R. 8445 within the broader context of pro-Israel, MAGA-aligned Republicans. Yet, there is no direct legislative link to Trump himself. Culture Wars
Summary:
- The bill began under President Biden’s administration—not Trump’s.
- It was introduced by Republicans in the House, not the White House, with no executive branch involvement.
- Any association with Trump is indirect, rooted in broader ideological alliances—not the bill’s origin or sponsors.
Voting & Legislative Progress—What’s Next?
- Has H.R. 8445 been voted on? No. After being introduced on May 17, 2024, it was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and then to its Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on July 17, 2024. No committee vote or floor vote has occurred. GovInfo+1
- Will members need to vote later? Yes—if the bill is ever reported out of committee, it would need a committee vote, then a full House vote, followed by any Senate action and the president’s signature to become law.
Why It Matters Who Introduced the Bill and When
Understanding the truth behind “Trump started it”:
- It’s important for public discourse to anchor itself in fact-based timelines, especially when assigning responsibility or credit.
- H.R. 8445 was not the product of Trump or his administration, but rather the work of current House members. No prior president—Trump or any other—initiated this bill.
“Blaming Trump”? The Real Story on Who Started H.R. 8445
A common refrain you might hear is that “Trump started this bill.” In reality, here’s how it played out:
- Introduced on May 17, 2024, long after Trump had left office.
- President Biden was in office, and the bill came from House members, not the White House.
- Sponsored by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R‑PA) and Rep. Max Miller (R‑OH)—their names are on the paperwork, not Trump’s. Academia
- Some link it to Trump-aligned, evangelical-Israel-supporting circles—but that’s indirect association, not causation. Culture Wars
In short, any mention of Trump in connection to H.R. 8445 reflects broader political alliances, not actual authorship or sponsorship.
Legislative Status: What’s Next?
As of now:
- No votes have occurred—neither in committee nor on the House floor. Facebook+5OpenSecrets+5Congress.gov+5
- If the bill progresses, it will necessarily go through:
- Committee vote
- House floor vote
- (If passed) Senate action
- Presidential signature (or veto)
Summary Table
| Claim | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| “Trump started this bill.” | False. Introduced in May 2024 under Biden by Reps. Reschenthaler & Miller. | OpenSecretslive.house.govFacebook+1 |
| Has the bill been voted on? | No. Still in subcommittee. | OpenSecretsFacebook |
| Who will vote on it? | House committee, then full House, then Senate, then president. | Legislative process norms |
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or policy advice. Legislative status may change—always consult official congressional sources for the most current information.
