Senate Republicans are taking decisive steps to advance President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities, focusing on border security, military enhancement, and energy independence. This initiative comes as the House faces internal disagreements hindering progress on similar legislation.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham announced plans to mark up a budget resolution next week. This resolution aims to allocate approximately $150 billion each for border security and military enhancements over four years. A separate plan to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, costing $4 trillion over ten years, will be pursued later.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed support for Graham’s efforts. He stated, “I am supportive of Chairman Graham’s efforts to advance the president’s priorities in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing our conversations with our House colleagues.” This endorsement positions the Senate to move swiftly on the budget resolution, potentially outpacing the House’s efforts.
House progress stalls as fiscal conservatives debate spending cuts for border and defense funding. These disputes have delayed the House’s progress on similar legislation.
Budget reconciliation lets the Senate pass budget bills with 51 votes, avoiding the 60-vote filibuster hurdle. With a 53-vote majority, Senate Republicans are well-positioned to advance Trump’s policies without Democratic support.
The proposed budget resolution is part of a two-pronged strategy. The first bill focuses on Trump’s priorities for border security, fossil fuel energy, and national defense. A second bill, to be addressed later in the year, will concentrate on extending Trump’s tax policies from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Graham emphasized the importance of fulfilling Republican promises on border security, stating, “To those who believe that Republicans should fulfill their promises on border security, mass deportation of criminal illegal aliens: I agree.” He plans to fund the border wall, hire ICE agents, and expand detention to hold dangerous individuals.
The Senate’s approach has support but contrasts with the House’s preference for a single bill covering all of Trump’s priorities. House leaders planned to start the process, but swift Senate action may force them to consider Senate proposals.
President Trump has expressed a preference for one large bill but has deferred to Congress to determine the most expedient strategy. He has urged lawmakers to employ whichever approach can be carried out most quickly to implement his agenda.
