WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called on U.S. Senate Republicans to drop their plan for a “skinny” bill and instead support a sweeping resolution prepared by House Republicans. However, despite the president’s message, Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate would still push ahead with their own measure on Thursday.
Trump’s support for the House’s plan comes as no surprise, as it includes trillions of dollars in tax cuts, a key priority for the president. House Republicans fear that the Senate’s smaller bill could hinder their chances of extending Trump’s tax cuts in their own chamber, where they hold a narrow majority.
In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Trump wrote, “We need both Chambers to pass the House Budget to ‘kickstart’ the Reconciliation process, and move all of our priorities to the concept of, ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’.” This statement was in reference to the House’s plan for one comprehensive bill that would include all of Trump’s objectives.
After a lunch meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Senate Republicans, Thune told reporters that they would still move forward with their smaller bill. He also expressed confidence that they would be able to achieve all of Trump’s objectives, whether it be through one bill or two.
However, some Republicans, such as Senator Josh Hawley, expressed confusion about the decision to proceed with the smaller bill after Trump’s message. Hawley stated, “It seems a little strange to me. If the president supports it and … I have some assurance of that, I’ll support it. But it just seems a little bizarre to me. I can’t quite figure out what we’re doing.”
On the other hand, Democrats have promised to put up a fight against the Senate’s budget resolution. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York stated, “Senate Democrats will expose Republicans’ reconciliation budget bill exactly for what it is: a sinister front for clearing the way to cut taxes for Donald Trump’s billionaire buddies.”
The Senate’s budget resolution, totaling $340 billion for fiscal year 2025, includes funding for tighter border security, Trump’s deportation of immigrants in the country illegally, energy deregulation, and an increase in military spending. Republicans claim that the plan will be offset by cuts in other areas.
In comparison, the House’s budget resolution includes the same priorities, along with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. However, they plan to cover the cost through $2 trillion in spending cuts and accelerated economic growth, mainly from the proposed tax and energy policy changes.
Both chambers of Congress must pass the same budget resolution in order to use a parliamentary tool that would allow Republicans to enact Trump’s legislative agenda without facing opposition from Democrats and the Senate filibuster.
In recent weeks, Republican lawmakers have backed away from concerns about adding to the nation’s growing debt by extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that Trump’s full tax cut agenda could cost over $5 trillion in the next decade.
House Republicans welcomed Trump’s intervention as they work towards a floor vote on their own budget blueprint next week. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Thune’s Republican counterpart, tweeted, “@realDonaldTrump is right! House Republicans are working to deliver President Trump’s FULL agenda – not just a small part of it. Let’s get it done, @HouseGOP!”
The main difference between the House and Senate strategies is the approach to Trump’s proposed tax cuts. House Republicans are concerned that the two-step Senate approach could lead to a standalone tax cut bill being stalled if lawmakers cannot agree on offsetting spending cuts. On the other hand, Senate Republicans worry that rushing for an all-encompassing bill may not allow enough time to properly handle the complexities of the tax component.
The Senate’s decision to move forward with their own budget resolution was in response to a request from Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan and White House budget director Russ Vought for funding for border and immigration measures. Despite Trump’s support for the House’s plan, the Senate remains committed to their own strategy to achieve Trump’s objectives.
In the end, the goal of both chambers of Congress is the same – to pass a budget resolution that will pave the way for Trump’s legislative agenda. Whether it is through one big bill or two separate ones, the focus remains on delivering on the promises made to the American people. With determination and unity, Republicans are confident that they will be able to make
