President Donald Trump signals openness to multiple budget bills, shifting from his previous stance as Republican tensions rise over legislative strategy.
At a Glance
- Trump now open to multiple budget bills, departing from earlier single-bill preference
- Senate Republicans advance $340 billion budget framework, focusing on border security and military spending
- House and Senate Republicans divided over strategy to advance Trump’s agenda
- Budget aims to allocate nearly $5 trillion for Trump’s campaign promises
- GOP faces internal disagreements over reconciliation approaches and potential Medicaid cuts
Trump’s Strategic Shift on Budget Bills
In a significant change of strategy, President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to accept multiple budget bills to fund his policy initiatives. This shift comes after previously endorsing a single-bill approach favored by House Republicans. The new stance reflects the growing tension between House and Senate Republicans over the best method to advance Trump’s legislative agenda.
“You could do three. You could do 10. As long as we get along … As long as we get them all added up and it’s the same thing,” Trump said.
Trump’s flexibility arrives as Senate Republicans, led by Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, push forward with a two-bill strategy. This approach separates border security and military spending from tax reforms, contrasting with the House Republicans’ preference for a unified bill addressing taxes, immigration, and energy.
— Ronald Reagan Institute (RRI) (@ReaganInstitute) June 10, 2024
Senate Advances Budget Framework
Early Friday, Republican senators passed a $340 billion budget framework aimed at funding mass deportations and enhancing border security. The package includes up to $175 billion for border security, $150 billion for the Pentagon, and $20 billion for the Coast Guard. This budget resolution serves as a blueprint, requiring further steps and committee work before funds are allocated.
“What we’re doing today is jumpstarting a process that will allow the Republican Party to meet President Trump’s immigration agenda,” Lindsey Graham said.
The budget was approved on a 52-48 vote, with all Democrats and one Republican senator opposing it. The process involved an all-night “vote-a-rama” session, with Democrats largely opposing the amendments. Republicans claim the budget will be funded through spending cuts and new revenues, not added debt.
Republican Divisions and Challenges
The budget debate has highlighted divisions within the Republican party and between the House and Senate approaches. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are struggling to reach consensus, delaying a budget markup and threatening Johnson’s timeline to pass a bill by April. Conservative House members are demanding significant spending cuts, further complicating negotiations.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are growing impatient and plan to proceed with their two-bill strategy, despite potential rejection from the House. The extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has become a contentious issue due to potential Medicaid cuts, which some senators oppose.
