Thune eyes earlier deadline for Senate GOP reconciliation bill

• The week of April 7th had been looking more likely for a vote on a budget resolution, which would provide hundreds of billions of dollars in border and defense funds, as well as sweeping tax policy changes and spending cuts.
• Thune is now telling senators to be ready for a vote next week.

Zoom in: There is a growing consensus that raising the debt ceiling should be dealt with as part of the sweeping reconciliation package, which allows the Senate to skirt the filibuster to pass certain budget-related legislation.

• It's a newer position for Senate leadership.
• One big reason for the shift: The price for getting the needed seven or eight Senate Democrats to raise the debt ceiling any other way will be too high — especially with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) under fire to maximize any chance to fight Trump.