WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson often likens himself to a quarterback, with President-elect Donald Trump as the coach directing their legislative priorities as Republicans assume power in Washington. However, as Trump prepares to meet with GOP senators on Capitol Hill, Republicans are facing a dilemma: What happens when the coach changes his mind?
Trump has been sending mixed signals, wavering on the best strategy for advancing the party’s legislative agenda. Key issues at stake include tax cuts, border security, funding for deportations, and efforts to boost oil and gas production — all key priorities for Republicans in the White House, House, and Senate.
House Republicans prefer a single comprehensive bill, while Senate leaders are advocating for at least two separate bills. Trump initially expressed a preference for a single bill, but later indicated openness to two bills for a quicker process, particularly to address immigration early on.
With Trump’s inauguration approaching on Jan. 20, Republicans are working to reconcile their differences. They have been meeting with Trump to develop a cohesive strategy for achieving significant accomplishments in the first 100 days of his administration.
The Republicans are relying on the complex budget reconciliation process to advance Trump’s priorities. While this strategy offers potential rewards, it also carries significant risks. Reconciliation allows for bills to pass with a simple majority, bypassing Senate filibusters, but it is a challenging and time-consuming process that can derail unexpectedly.
Democrats previously used reconciliation to enact the Affordable Care Act without Republican support, and Republicans utilized it for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Employing reconciliation for Trump’s agenda is a formidable task, made even more challenging by the prospect of doing it twice.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar criticized the Republican focus on tax cuts for the wealthy and budget cuts that could impact vital social services. He highlighted the closed-door negotiations among Republicans and their emphasis on tax breaks for millionaires.
Republicans are aiming to align their priorities as President Trump convenes meetings with party members in an effort to streamline legislative strategies. Trump, who recently held discussions at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, organized a meeting with Republican senators during his visit to Washington for the funeral services of former President Jimmy Carter.
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, the second-highest-ranking Republican, expressed that the meeting will play a crucial role in coordinating efforts with the House. A proposed strategy by Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota involves dividing Trump’s agenda into two separate bills, with the first focusing on border security, mass deportations, energy development, and military funding to be passed within the initial 30 days of the new administration. Tax cuts would then be addressed in a subsequent package.
Barrasso highlighted the efficiency of this approach, emphasizing the flexibility afforded by the expiration date of the GOP tax cuts at the end of the year. The strategy of employing reconciliation as a means to advance legislation, particularly in light of Democratic opposition, has gained traction among Republicans. However, the narrow GOP majorities, particularly in the House, pose a challenge to passing legislation without significant bipartisan support.
Trump is planning further meetings at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend, this time with House Republicans. Representative Kevin Hern from Oklahoma expressed support for the House’s preference for a consolidated single-bill strategy, acknowledging the necessity for compromise to achieve consensus.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia, a GOP leadership member instrumental in arranging the meeting with the president-elect, emphasized the importance of conveying collective objectives. Capito sees merit in both one or two-bill approaches, but advocates for the two-bill strategy to secure an early victory that underscores the party’s commitment.
Trump’s penchant for flexibility has been noted by members of Congress, with ally Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma affirming Trump’s desire for comprehensive progress. Mullin indicated Trump’s support for both one or two-bill strategies, reflecting a willingness to adapt to the prevailing circumstances.
As discussions unfold among Republican lawmakers and the president, the focus remains on aligning priorities and strategies to navigate the legislative landscape effectively. The evolving dynamics within the GOP, coupled with the impending policy decisions, underscore the significance of cohesive decision-making to advance the party’s agenda.
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