Senate Ready to Leap Frog House on Reconciliation

“Pressure is building against Speaker Mike Johnson, as he scrambles to deliver on President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, with the GOP-controlled Senate and conservative House Republican hardliners both pressing for their own proposals,” Punchbowl News reports.

“Despite pleas from Johnson, Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is preparing to mark up a budget resolution on Wednesday that includes more than $300 billion in new funding for the Pentagon and border security, as well as energy policy changes. The new funding would be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.”

“Graham’s plan, which is blessed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, would mean a two-step reconciliation process.”

Said Graham, on X: “My dear friend Speaker Johnson is right. Like President Trump, I prefer ‘one big beautiful bill’ … That is my preference, but reality is something altogether different.”