Senate GOP plots to bypass Mike Johnson on reconciliation
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Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) gestures while speaking during a press conference. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
Senate GOP leaders plan to pitch President Trump at a Friday night dinner at Mar-a-Lago to stop waiting on "one big, beautiful bill" from the House — and pivot to the two-part plan, now.
Why it matters: With the House stalled on a major budget package, "there's an urgency to act and act now," Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told Axios in an exclusive interview.
- "We'll be visiting with the president this weekend," Barrasso said.
- He expects senators to bring a message: "It's now, Mr. President. It's time to move. We have this."
- The Senate's first reconciliation package would address border security, energy and defense. Reconciliation allows the Senate to pass budget-related legislation with a majority vote.
Between the lines: Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) "has legislation ready to go," Barrasso said.
- Barrasso recently talked to Border Czar Tom Homan at the White House. Homan told Barrasso he needs resources to continue what has been a startling crackdown on illegal immigration.
- Barrasso noted extending Trump's tax cuts is important, but complicated — and the deadline is not until December 31st.
- Spinning the issue off on its own has been the Senate's preferred plan, even as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has pushed for an all-in-one approach.
What to watch: In a lunch on Tuesday, Graham told Republican colleagues he would give an overview of his budget resolution at another closed-door lunch on Wednesday, according to sources familiar.
- The House had to punt on a markup of a budget resolution, which was supposed to happen this week — yet another setback.
- Dozens of Republican senators and their spouses are preparing to join Trump for a dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night. They will be in town for the National Republican Senatorial Committee's regularly-scheduled weekend at The Breakers.
Zoom in: Barrasso told Axios the the package they plan to present will be fully paid for.
- Increased revenue from the energy policy changes will be part of that, as well as cuts.
- Barrasso also pointed to what he called the "bloated federal government" with 2 million workers, "some of whom haven't come to work for years. They need to be fired. Massive savings are going to result in that component," he added.
Zoom out: Barrasso said the Senate has proven they can move fast on reconciliation, pointing to the rapid confirmation for Trump's Cabinet nominees.
- Senate Republicans have been able to move through nominees at almost twice the pace as former President Biden had been able to in 2021, the senator said.
- "Democrats found out we're serious by that first weekend" by voting on Friday and Saturday — and threatening to do so on Sunday, Barrasso said.
Between the lines: As whip, Barrasso's role is making sure even the most controversial nominees have their needed votes.
- He was one of several to call Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) over the past several days ahead of the Tuesday committee votes for DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard and HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Both swing voters fell in line.
