In a letter to leaders Wednesday, conservatives in the House and Senate endorsed a two-step budget reconciliation process to enact President-elect Trump's agenda, starting with the border bill and leaving the tax bill later.
“Following President Trump's decisive victory, Republicans in the House and Senate have a responsibility to do everything in their power to ensure that the President fulfills the promises he made to the American people,” the lawmakers wrote. in a dated letter Wednesday.
The letter was addressed to incoming Senate Republican Leader John Thune (S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).
“One of those promises was to secure our borders and restore the integrity of our immigration system after four years of President Biden's open borders policy,” the letter continues. “That is why we believe it is important to prioritize the swift passage of a reconciliation bill that focuses on border security.”
Signers of the letter include Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Sen. Marsha Blackburn. (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Ted Budd (R-North Carolina). and Lindsey Graham (RS.C.).
Representatives who signed the bill include Andy Harris (R-Md.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), and Josh Brechen (R-Texas). , Oklahoma) and Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.). , Eric Burleson (R-Missouri), Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) , Byron Donald (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Mary Miller (R-IL), Barry Moore (R-) -Alabama), Ralph Norman (RS.C.), Andy Ogles (R., Tennessee), Bill Posey (R., Florida), Keith Self (R., Texas), Andy Biggs (R. (R-Ariz.) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho).
Republicans are fighting over the order in which the bills should be introduced, with some Republicans saying they should be introduced first given the complexity of tax reform and the need to keep the Trump tax cuts from expiring at the end of next year. claims.
But Thune supports the idea of moving forward with border and energy bills, a position supported by Trump's top adviser Stephen Miller.
The conservative groups that sent the letter also noted that their party's control of both chambers will be narrow next year, “meaning success is far from guaranteed,” and therefore “a two-step settlement.” “I believe there needs to be a process.” It gives us the best chance of securing passage of this transformative border security law. ”
Under the Senate's special budget reconciliation rules, the parties that control both chambers can pass legislation with a simple majority of senators, rather than the usual 60 votes needed to pass controversial legislation. can.
In their letter, the conservative lawmakers said that the “initial reconciliation bill” in the next Congress would include four years of funding for certain border security measures and “taxpayer-funded welfare benefits.” He said he believes the bill should include restrictions on “non-citizens' ability to apply for and receive benefits.” and measures encouraging “the repatriation of aliens who are illegally present in the United States by imposing significant financial penalties.”
“Second budget reconciliation should primarily focus on preventing large tax increases that would automatically take effect on January 1, 2026. Allowing that scenario to occur would be a breakthrough “This would undo the significant economic benefits the country has enjoyed as a result of the Trump tax cuts,” the lawmakers said in the letter.
Lawmakers also said that for a second budget reconciliation bill to pass Congress, it would have to “reduce the budget deficit by including necessary spending reforms and cuts.”
“This includes, but is not limited to, the repeal of the green tax credit in Democrats' so-called “Cut Inflation Act'' and the estimated $2.5 trillion in cuts that the Department of Government Efficiency determines are necessary for fiscal health. “A nation that will not be protected,” they added.
Hill has contacted Thune and Johnson's offices and the Democratic National Committee for comment.
