In a bid to fast-track President-elect Donald Trump’s comprehensive legislative agenda by April, Speaker Mike Johnson encounters a maze of challenges with a narrow House majority. As skeptics emerge within the GOP, the possibility of Derrick Johnson’s plan succeeding is uncertain. What strategies will he employ to push Trump’s vision through Congress?
House Majority Test
Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass Trump’s legislative agenda that combines border security, energy policy, taxation, and increased spending control into a single bill by late April. However, Johnson faces the task with a slim Republican majority in the House and no anticipated Democratic support. This scenario poses significant hurdles as the House navigates an intricate political landscape. Senate Republicans, expressing skepticism, suggest a more segmented approach to the legislation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune proposes dividing the agenda into distinct bills to deal more effectively with border and tax policies. He cites reconciliation challenges in the Senate as a potential barrier to the comprehensive bill approach favored by Johnson. Senator Kevin Cramer also advocates for a pragmatic approach, suggesting that the House pursue one comprehensive bill while the Senate crafts a smaller measure focusing on border issues.
NEW: Mike Johnson eyes April deadline to pass one big MAGA bill through the House, but GOP senators are skeptical https://t.co/KQQ8nkCsr9
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 15, 2025
Internal GOP Divisions
The plan’s complexity highlights underlying divisions within the GOP. With Senate Republicans preferring a tactical approach, Speaker Johnson’s comprehensive strategy may face significant obstacles. Senator Ted Cruz, for instance, vocalizes support for two separate bills, ensuring resources are allocated to immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley works closely with Trump’s advisors to explore funding solutions.
“We’re targeting April for final passage” – Mike Johnson
As Johnson drives forward, internal party debates intensify over spending cuts needed to pass the legislation. Senator Thom Tillis warns of the political risks associated with raising the debt ceiling on a party-line vote, underscoring the fragile nature of Johnson’s coalition. Johnson’s strategy takes shape as Republicans consider expanding the SALT deduction to secure support from key states.
Navigating Legislative Complexities
Concerns over Johnson’s ambitious timeline surface as Jon Traub from Deloitte Tax LLP expresses doubt about meeting the April target due to Senate budget constraints. President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance criticized a previous government funding deal, calling for a temporary funding bill without Democratic concessions. Their opposition prompted GOP lawmakers to scramble for an alternative plan.
The high-stakes environment challenges Johnson’s leadership as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise scraps the funding plan, seeking new agreements. Trump’s intervention underscores internal GOP dynamics, increasing pressure on Johnson. With the debt ceiling suspension ending January 2, Congress must act to avoid default, necessitating strategic maneuvering to balance Trump’s objectives and party unity.
Sources:
Trump brings Congress to a halt with new demands on spending as shutdown looms | Politics | wrex.com