Republicans Offer Up Conflicting Views On Passing Trump’s Agenda
Congressional Republicans are grappling with internal divisions as they strategize how to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, with tax policy emerging as a central point of contention in the final weeks before his inauguration.
As the GOP prepares to take unified control of Washington in January, lawmakers are weighing different priorities. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has introduced a plan to combine energy and border security measures with a broader defense bill for a quick legislative win. This proposal, unveiled on Tuesday, has been met with skepticism from House Republicans, particularly members of the Ways and Means Committee, according to the Washington Examiner.
House Republicans worry that postponing tax reform until later in the year, as Thune suggests, could derail their broader tax plan. With the Trump-era tax cuts from 2017 set to expire at the end of 2025, lawmakers are hesitant to take chances on delays.
The stakes are high, as Republicans have limited opportunities to pass legislation without Democratic support. Using a budgetary process known as reconciliation, they can bypass the Senate filibuster and pass key spending measures with a simple majority. However, this procedural tool can only be used twice annually, making careful prioritization essential.
While Senate Republicans, led by Thune, consider addressing tax reform in October when the new fiscal year begins, House tax writers, led by Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, advocate combining tax reform with border and energy policies into a single package.
“House Republicans are unified that we’ve got to deal with border, energy, and taxes,” said a House GOP lawmaker familiar with the discussions. “I think reasonable people are trying to figure out, tactically, what’s the right way to deliver that.”
The lawmaker highlighted the central dilemma: “Is it better to have a narrow package that puts points on the board right away? Or is it better to spend a few more months putting together a comprehensive package?”
The debate underscores the challenges Republicans face in maintaining unity. With slim majorities in both chambers, the GOP has little room for error if they proceed without bipartisan cooperation.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has not taken a firm stance on the matter, stating on Tuesday that there are “pros and cons” to both approaches. Meanwhile, restoring the state and local tax deduction remains a sticking point for Republicans in high-income states.
Thune’s plan, presented during a Senate GOP policy retreat, aims to deliver an early legislative victory on border security, a key focus of Trump’s campaign. However, Republicans are mindful of the limits of reconciliation, which can only be used for measures impacting the federal budget.
“House tax writers, for their part, are worried their package will lose votes if it does not include deal-sweeteners on the border or energy reform,” reported the Examiner.
During Tuesday’s retreat, Senate Republicans voiced differing views on how to sequence their agenda. “I don’t think there was any consensus on what the sequencing should be,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a senior Finance Committee member. “There’s going to have to be a whole lot more consultation and socializing the issues.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), also on the Finance Committee, described the gathering as an early opportunity to “digest what’s in front of us and to find the smartest path forward.”
The GOP’s challenge lies in striking a balance between quick legislative wins and comprehensive solutions as they prepare to push President-elect Trump’s policies forward.