PRESIDENT TRUMP DOVE HEADLONG Wednesday into the budget battle that has split House and Senate Republicans, siding with the lower chamber's strategy while blindsiding his allies in the Senate.
Trump threw his support behind the House Republican strategy to pass "one big, beautiful bill" that combines all of his spending priorities and tax cuts, even as doubts grow that it can pass the House with the GOP's slim majority.
Senate Republicans have been moving faster on their two-bill plan, which breaks the spending and tax cuts into separate bills.
But Trump made clear that he does not agree with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) strategy in the Senate.
"Unlike the Lindsey Graham version of the very important Legislation currently being discussed, the House Resolution implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it!" Trump posted on social media. "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.'"
Graham has cast his two-track effort as a backup plan in case House Republicans are unable to coalesce behind a unified strategy ahead of a March 14 deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
"I'm pulling for the House to pull it together and get one big, beautiful bill, but it's got to be consistent with President Trump's tax agenda," Graham said. "And right now, you know the tax agenda is to make the tax cuts permanent, and the House bill doesn't do that."
Trump's remarks caught GOP senators off guard. He had previously been noncommittal, allowing the two GOP-led chambers to hash it out on their own and see who prevails.
"Did not see that one coming," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who did not hear from Trump ahead of time.
Vice President Vance met Wednesday with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill to discuss the White House strategy.
The Senate has already begun debate on its budget resolution, which passed last week.
Senate Republicans plan to move ahead with a vote this week, with Thune noting that Trump likes to have "optionality."
"We certainly wish them all the success in moving it," Thune said. "We will work closely with them. More power to them."
The House is out this week but plans to move ahead with its budget resolution when lawmakers return next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment