WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered his strongest endorsement of the House’s plan to pass a comprehensive bill aimed at advancing his legislative goals, urging the Senate to reconsider its competing two-bill approach.
Trump’s statements on Truth Social came just a day ahead of the GOP-led Senate’s scheduled vote on a budget resolution intended to initiate the process for advancing Trump’s policy priorities. However, the Senate’s proposal is far narrower than the House’s, concentrating on immigration enforcement and boosting energy production, while lacking the extension of Trump’s tax cuts that the House advocates for.
In his post, Trump specifically criticized Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who authored the Senate’s budget resolution and has been promoting a Senate-first strategy amid delays in the House.
“The House and Senate are doing a SPECTACULAR job of collaborating as one unified and unbeatable TEAM, yet unlike the Lindsey Graham version of the crucial legislation under discussion, the House Resolution implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it!” Trump asserted in his post.
Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images file
“We need both chambers to approve the House Budget to ‘kickstart’ the reconciliation process and advance all our priorities into a concept of ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.’ It will undoubtedly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump added.
Trump’s remarks followed personal lobbying by House GOP leaders and other senior Republicans, encouraging him to publicly support the House budget resolution, according to a senior GOP official.
House Republican leaders have also been rallying their members, though several moderate Republicans expressed uncertainty due to worries over potential Medicaid cuts, as noted by concerned GOP lawmakers. Top Republicans hope that Trump’s public endorsement will sway these undecided members.
“@realDonaldTrump is correct! House Republicans are working to deliver President Trump’s COMPLETE agenda — not just a fraction of it,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has been advocating for the House strategy and attended the Super Bowl with Trump, stated on X. “Let’s finish the job, @HouseGOP!”
Republicans in the White House and on Capitol Hill have been deliberating for over two months on whether to consolidate Trump’s agenda into a single bill or to split it into two. Trump has shown a preference for the single-bill approach but has indicated he would accept either method.
Trump’s social media post followed the Senate’s 50-47 party-line vote to advance Graham’s budget resolution. It set the stage for a “vote-a-rama” later this week, allowing senators to propose amendments to the bill, with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky being the sole Republican dissenting vote.
Graham proposed his streamlined budget measure as a way to swiftly fulfill Trump’s need for additional funding for immigration law enforcement and oversee his mass deportation initiatives. He is aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., advocating for a two-track approach that postpones a tax overhaul.
Vice President JD Vance will meet with Senate Republicans at the Capitol for lunch on Wednesday to discuss next steps, according to senators. The Senate is “still on schedule” for a vote on its budget resolution this week, pending the outcome of the Vance meeting, said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
A source familiar with the House GOP’s debate expressed concerns that if the Senate approves its budget this week, it could “jam” the House and give momentum to the Senate’s approach.
Last week, the House passed a budget resolution by a 21-16 party-line vote, which calls for increased spending on immigration and military initiatives, along with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts partially offset by unspecified spending reductions. It also proposes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling.
House GOP leaders plan to bring the budget to the floor for a vote when lawmakers reconvene next week, now that Trump has expressed his support.
Republican senators were somewhat taken aback by Trump’s post, with Thune remarking to reporters, “I did not anticipate that one.”
One of Trump’s close allies, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., indicated that while he and others liked the idea of “one big, beautiful, glamorous bill,” there’s a need for a backup plan in case the House strategy falters.
“We also need alternative plans, and I think Lindsey represents an option,” Mullin stated. “If the House can craft one big, beautiful, glamorous bill and secure 218 votes, we can garner 51 senators here to pass it. The challenge is that they haven’t demonstrated they can achieve that.”
Trump complicated congressional Republicans’ efforts further when he told Fox News on Tuesday that his agenda would not entail any cuts to Medicaid.
“Medicare, Medicaid — none of those programs will be affected,” Trump asserted.
The House Republicans’ budget outline instructs the Energy and Commerce Committee to locate $880 billion in deficit reduction. Spending less on Medicaid was viewed internally as a crucial element for meeting that target.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., previewed the Democratic strategy to counter the Republican budget reconciliation effort this week, declaring that the party would present a united front against the initiative, labeling it a maneuver to benefit the wealthy through cuts to middle-class programs.
“They aim to provide tax breaks for their billionaire friends, and working families across America are footing the bill,” Schumer remarked.
Democrats are preparing to propose amendments aimed at prohibiting tax cuts for the wealthy and safeguarding benefits. Schumer summarized one amendment as: “If they cut even $1 from Medicaid, no one with an income above $1 million should receive any tax reduction.”
“We’re putting them on notice. … This impacts their own constituents in numerous ways,” Schumer emphasized. “The amendments will carry consequences for them come 2026. … This has garnered substantial support and enthusiasm. It unites the caucus — from Bernie [Sanders] to the most moderate members.”
