01/09/2025

Trump Backs Speaker Johnson’s Strategy on Reconciliation

Johnson wants to craft one bill that includes all Republican goals

President-elect Trump met with Senate Republicans last night and reportedly backed House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) preferred strategy on budget reconciliation – crafting one massive bill covering tax cuts, spending cuts, immigration, energy policy and more. Senate Republicans favor a multi-bill strategy to avoid, as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) put it, "putting all the eggs in one basket and risking not getting the votes."

According to Punchbowl News, the incoming president said he’s open to splitting his agenda if roadblocks emerge, but he wants Senate Republicans to support the one-bill strategy because that's what Johnson feels has the best chance in the House. House Republicans must navigate a slim margin in the 119^th Congress, and Johnson is convinced it will be easier to get tax changes through his chamber if it's tied to immigration and energy provisions. Some Senate Republicans emerged from the meeting concerned about getting bogged down in procedural disputes as this session gets underway.

“People are still overlooking the fact that we need to pass a budget first,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told Punchbowl. "That means at least 50 of us in the Senate and… almost all [Republican] members of the House have to agree to the same budget. And then the hard work begins. I worry… I hope we don’t squander an opportunity here while there’s a bit of wind at our backs."

Johnson, who was reelected as House Speaker last week with Trump’s backing, said he is aiming to pass broad tax legislation by Memorial Day.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.