Senate Republicans Push Forward with Trump Agenda Amid House Stalemate

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans announced Wednesday their intention to advance key components of President Trump‘s agenda, as efforts in the House to initiate the budget reconciliation process have stalled. The move comes amid growing frustration over the pace of legislative progress.

“It’s time for the Senate to move,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters after briefing Senate Republicans on the plan during their weekly lunch meeting. Graham, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, emphasized the urgency of securing funding for border security, a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda.

Congressional leaders have been working on a comprehensive legislative package through the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain bills to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. The proposed package includes measures to bolster border security, extend 2017 tax cuts, incentivize domestic manufacturing, and invest in American energy, while addressing government spending and the debt limit.

However, disagreements over whether to pursue a one- or two-bill approach have caused delays. Senate Republicans have generally favored a two-bill strategy, with an initial focus on border security, while House Republicans have pushed for a single, comprehensive bill.

Graham argued that a single bill, as preferred by Trump and House Republicans, is “too complicated.” Instead, he proposed a $150 billion border security bill that would be fully funded. “It’s important we put points on the board,” Graham said, noting that the president’s border security plan is “running into a wall of funding.”

House Republican leaders, meanwhile, have outlined a timeline for their single-bill approach, aiming to complete the markup of a budget resolution this week and deliver the package to Trump’s desk by May. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed confidence in the House’s ability to lead the effort, stating, “We are well within the margins of time that we have to work on, and I’m very optimistic about it.”

Johnson also addressed Graham’s comments, calling the senator a “good friend” but emphasizing that “the House needs to lead this if we’re going to have success.”

The budget reconciliation process, while expediting legislation, comes with limitations on what can be included. Lawmakers must first approve a budget resolution, a step that has faced resistance from conservative House members in recent days.

As the debate continues, the Senate’s decision to move forward independently signals a potential shift in strategy, with Republicans aiming to deliver on Trump’s agenda within the first 100 days of his second term.