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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Republican lawmakers on Saturday that President-elect Trump supports an overhaul of conservative policy through a single large bill, three sources told Fox News Digital.
Trump wants both the House and Senate to have that bill on his desk before May, the sources said. The president-elect’s acceptance is likely to end growing intra-party friction over how to pass Republican goals next year through a process known as “reconciliation,” which lawmakers plan to use to pass conservative and budget changes.
House Republicans met behind closed doors Saturday at Washington’s Fort McNair to discuss the plan.
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Speaker Mike Johnson revealed to Republicans in a closed-door meeting that President-elect Trump wants a reconciliation bill. (AP/Getty)
Reconciliation allows the Senate to bypass its traditional 60-vote threshold in favor of a simple majority, as long as legislation focuses on budget and fiscal matters.
Both parties have traditionally used reconciliation to pass major policy changes in a single bill. But the legislation also goes through strict vetting where the Senate parliamentarian is tasked with deciding what is and is not relevant to America’s tax issues.
In particular, the Democrats earlier tried to use reconciliation approve mass amnesty measuresbut they were blocked.
Republicans could face similar problems with their push to add border security provisions to the bill. They also intend to use it to expand Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, as well as pass energy and defense measures.
Johnson’s apparent decision on Saturday comes after congressional Republicans disagreed over whether to pass one or two pieces of reconciliation legislation.
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New Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wanted two reconciliation bills last year. (Reuters)
It’s a process typically used once a year, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RSD, unveiled a plan last month to split Republican priorities into two bills: one that is about the border and defense and a second aimed at preserving Trump’s. tax policy
The plan was also backed by top Trump adviser Stephen Miller.
But that push angered Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, who warned that two reconciliation bills could be too big of an increase and put taxes second. could endanger remaining GOP tax provisions that expire at the end of this year.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., noted on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings With Maria” that Congress has not passed two reconciliation bills in one year since 1997 .
“I’m saying we need a reconciliation bill that has borders, energy, permits and taxes. If you put those four things together, we can get it done,” Smith said.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith championed a bill. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
The panel released a memo last month warning that ordinary Americans could see their taxes rise by 22% if Trump’s tax policies expire.
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But other lawmakers bristled at the idea that two bills were impossible.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital last month, “I think we have to show the American people that we really can defend our borders. The bottom line is that I think they must be on almost parallel tracks. But I do think taxes are much more complicated.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Thune and Smith’s offices for comment. Thune’s office declined to comment, and Smith’s office did not immediately respond.
