Senate GOP pushes forward with budget plan despite Trump's endorsement of House bill
Shreedhar Rathi | Feb 21, 2025, 08:58 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Senate Republicans are advancing their own budget to fund Trump’s agenda despite his backing of the House’s version. The Senate's plan separates immediate funding for border security from broader fiscal negotiations, causing a divide between House and Senate Republicans that may jeopardize the budget's passage.
Senate Republicans are pressing ahead with their own budget plan to fund President Donald Trump’s agenda, despite Trump’s endorsement of the House’s version. The Senate is set for a late-night voting session that may ultimately prove futile if both chambers fail to align.
Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to throw his support behind the House’s comprehensive budget proposal. The plan increases funding for border security and national defense, extends Trump-era tax cuts, and slashes trillions in federal spending. Calling it a full implementation of his agenda, Trump urged lawmakers to pass the House version as a single, sweeping bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has supported this approach from the outset, believing a one-bill strategy is the best way to unite his narrow Republican majority. Senate Republicans acknowledge the House plan’s appeal but doubt its ability to pass quickly enough to deliver early wins for Trump’s administration. They have instead advanced a two-step process that separates immediate funding for border security and defense from broader tax and debt limit negotiations.
Senators argue that urgent funding needs, particularly for Trump’s immigration policies, cannot be delayed by prolonged tax policy debates. Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the necessity of securing resources for deportation efforts while ensuring long-term fiscal policies are carefully considered.
The budget fight has turned into a battle for influence between House and Senate Republicans, both vying for Trump’s approval. Johnson has dismissed the Senate proposal as a non-starter, making it clear that even if it passes, the House will push its own plan forward. Despite Trump’s endorsement of the House version, Senate Republicans emerged from a closed-door lunch with Vice President JD Vance still committed to advancing their proposal.
A long night of amendment votes, known as a Vote-a-rama, is set to take place in the Senate as part of the reconciliation process, which allows budget-related legislation to bypass the usual 60-vote requirement. Senate Democrats remain staunchly opposed, accusing Trump and his allies of worsening economic inequality and prioritizing partisan objectives over governance. However, with a united Republican front, Democrats have little ability to block the bill.
The biggest obstacle remains the divide between House and Senate Republicans. Unless they reach a consensus, the late-night voting session may ultimately amount to nothing.
Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to throw his support behind the House’s comprehensive budget proposal. The plan increases funding for border security and national defense, extends Trump-era tax cuts, and slashes trillions in federal spending. Calling it a full implementation of his agenda, Trump urged lawmakers to pass the House version as a single, sweeping bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has supported this approach from the outset, believing a one-bill strategy is the best way to unite his narrow Republican majority. Senate Republicans acknowledge the House plan’s appeal but doubt its ability to pass quickly enough to deliver early wins for Trump’s administration. They have instead advanced a two-step process that separates immediate funding for border security and defense from broader tax and debt limit negotiations.
Senators argue that urgent funding needs, particularly for Trump’s immigration policies, cannot be delayed by prolonged tax policy debates. Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the necessity of securing resources for deportation efforts while ensuring long-term fiscal policies are carefully considered.
The budget fight has turned into a battle for influence between House and Senate Republicans, both vying for Trump’s approval. Johnson has dismissed the Senate proposal as a non-starter, making it clear that even if it passes, the House will push its own plan forward. Despite Trump’s endorsement of the House version, Senate Republicans emerged from a closed-door lunch with Vice President JD Vance still committed to advancing their proposal.
A long night of amendment votes, known as a Vote-a-rama, is set to take place in the Senate as part of the reconciliation process, which allows budget-related legislation to bypass the usual 60-vote requirement. Senate Democrats remain staunchly opposed, accusing Trump and his allies of worsening economic inequality and prioritizing partisan objectives over governance. However, with a united Republican front, Democrats have little ability to block the bill.
The biggest obstacle remains the divide between House and Senate Republicans. Unless they reach a consensus, the late-night voting session may ultimately amount to nothing.