Feb 11, 2025 - Politics & Policy

House and Senate GOP go to war over reconciliation

This is Mike Johnson — Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The House GOP says it's ready to go first on reconciliation, warning it won't even consider the Senate GOP's bill on the border, energy and defense.

Why it matters: This escalates the strategic fight between the two chambers over how to get the Trump tax cuts extended past this year — while also adding billions in spending on deportation infrastructure and the military.

The Senate wants two bills, handling border security, energy and defense first. Tax cuts would come later this year.
The House wants one big bill, arguing it would be too hard to pass two distinct measures.
House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) plans to start marking up a House bill on Thursday or Friday, he told reporters on Tuesday.

Zoom in: Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has released text for the first bill. It's scheduled to be marked up at the committee level on Wednesday, putting pressure on the House to move faster.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told his deputies Monday that the House won't put a Senate two-track bill on the floor, Punchbowl first reported.
Johnson told Politico he plans to meet with Budget Committee Republicans on Tuesday evening.

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House and Senate GOP go to war over reconciliation

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