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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told GOP lawmakers Saturday that President-elect Trump supports overhauling conservative politics through a single major bill, three sources told Fox News Digital.
Trump wants both the House and Senate to have such a bill on his desk by May, the sources said. The president-elect’s acceptance will likely end growing friction within the party over how to pass Republican goals next year through a process known as “reconciliation,” which lawmakers plan to use to approve conservative policies and budget changes.
House Republicans met behind closed doors Saturday at Fort McNair, Washington, to discuss the plan.
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President 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 surpass its traditional threshold of 60 votes in favor of a simple majority, as long as the legislation focuses on budgetary and other fiscal issues.
Both parties have traditionally used reconciliation to pass broad policy changes in a single bill. But the legislation also goes through a strict evaluation in which the Senate parliamentarian is tasked with deciding what is and is not relevant to American tax affairs.
In particular, Democrats previously attempted to use reconciliation to 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 to pass energy and defense measures.
Johnson’s apparent decision Saturday comes after congressional Republicans were at odds over whether to pass one or two reconciliation bills.
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New Senate Majority Leader John Thune said last year he wanted two reconciliation bills. (Reuters)
It’s a process typically used once a year, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-D., unveiled a plan last month to split Republican priorities into two bills: one that deals with the border and defense and a second aimed at preserving Trump’s power. fiscal policy.
The plan was also backed by Trump’s top 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 a push, putting taxes second. could endanger remaining GOP tax provisions set to 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 a year since 1997.
“I’m saying we need a reconciliation bill that includes borders, energy, permits and taxes. If we put all four things together, we can do it,” Smith said.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith advocated for 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 need to show the American people that we really can defend our borders. The conclusion is that I think they should follow almost parallel paths. 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 responded and declined to comment, and Smith’s office did not immediately respond.