House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told House Republicans in a closed-door meeting on Saturday that President-elect Donald Trump wants a single reconciliation bill to address his priorities upon entry into office, two sources told NBC News.
The reconciliation bill would include measures for border security, energy, and an extension of Trump's 2017 tax law.
NBC reported that those in Trump's orbit, such as his immigration policy adviser Stephen Miller, have been pushing Republicans for two separate reconciliation bills: one focused on immigration and one focused on Trump's 2017 tax cuts, which are due to expire later this year.
Reconciliation allows Congress to pass party-line policies on taxes and spending with simple majority votes, bypassing the Senate's standard 60-vote requirement for legislation. Marshaling Trump's policies into one bill would allow the incoming administration to advance their agenda.
Prior to Johnson's revelation, Senate Republicans had been pushing for a two-bill reconciliation strategy. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., endorsed a two-bill strategy in December.
"In my view," Thune told reporters in December, "it makes sense to move quickly on things we know we can do quickly — border, defense, energy.
"And then come back with another package that would address some of the savings that can be achieved through reductions in cost in various agencies and bureaucracies and government programs and then also deal with the expiring Trump tax cuts in a package later this year."
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University’s philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.
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