An early budget was adopted by the Senate Republicans Friday morning that could establish a path for implementing President Donald Trump’s legislative initiatives.
According to Politico, in order for the initiatives to pass, it requires GOP lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to unify around a single strategy.
The budget was opposed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Democrat senators and dragged on for more than 10 hours in debate and 25 votes on amendments but was ultimately adopted by a 52-48 vote.
“What gives? Are Republicans for getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse — and reducing the deficit, balancing the budget, as the president says — or are they really for increasing spending by $340 billion?” said Paul.
Senate Budget Chair Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) said there needs to be a backup plan if Trump’s initiatives aren’t able to be passed.
“To my House colleagues: I prefer one big, beautiful bill. But we have to have a Plan B if you can’t get it done soon.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Miss.) said Trump made it clear that he wants one bill to encompass the whole budget.
“He made clear to me … he wants one big, beautiful bill. He said that two or three times on the phone,” Hawley said.
When Hawley was asked why the Senate would work late into the night on a plan that doesn’t meet the president’s desires, he responded: “Great question. That’s sort of what he said to me.”
The Senate’s budget resolution proposes a legislative package that includes up to $175 billion for border security and $150 billion in new defense spending, along with various provisions to expand domestic energy production.
However, House Republicans aim to adopt a budget resolution next week that would unlock the “big, beautiful bill” endorsed by Trump.
This bill pairs similar border security, defense, and energy targets with trillions of dollars in tax cuts and at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. House Republicans have scheduled a Monday committee meeting to tweak their budget before it goes to the floor for debate.
The Senate budget does not include an extension for Trump’s tax cuts that were implemented in 2017 and are due to expire at the end of the year.
Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.) said Thursday night that failing to extend the 2017 tax cuts would be “economically devastating for millions of hard-working taxpayers.”
“The stakes couldn’t be higher,” Crapo said.
