Senators leapfrog House Republicans on anticipated Trump budget bill
If pursued, the plan would shift House Republicans' current effort to fit all priorities in one bill
By Julia Johnson , Elizabeth Elkind Fox News
Published February 5, 2025 1:48pm EST | Updated February 5, 2025 1:55pm EST
FIRST ON FOX: The Senate will look to beat House Republicans to the punch next week on plans to enact President Donald Trump's agenda via the budget reconciliation process.
Ahead of a weekly lunch meeting hosted by Senate Steering Committee Chairman Rick Scott, R-Fla., a plan was unveiled by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to push for a committee vote next week on a first bill, with plans for an additional reconciliation bill later in the year, a Senate Republican source told Fox News Digital.
The first bill would include Trump's priorities for border security, fossil fuel energy, and national defense. The second bill would focus on extending Trump's tax policies from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Senior White House staffers were also present at the Wednesday lunch, the source said.
It comes amid some infighting within the House GOP about what level of spending cuts to seek in order to offset the costs of Trump's priorities. An expected vote this week to advance a resolution through the House Budget Committee is now likely poised for next week as well.
The first step in the reconciliation process is marking up and advancing a bill through the Senate and House budget committees.
House leaders had intended to make the first move in the process. The Senate passing their own bill first, however, would essentially force the lower chamber to contend with whatever product comes from the other side of Capitol Hill rather than start from a position of their own choosing.
It would also shift gears to a two-pronged reconciliation bill blueprint, something opposed by the House Ways & Means Committee and House GOP leaders.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senators-plan-leapfrog-house-republicans-anticipated-budget-plan
