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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has called for House Republicans to revise their budget proposal to encompass President Donald Trump’s comprehensive tax reduction initiatives.
Following the advancement of a budget resolution from the Budget Committee, House GOP leadership unveiled their fiscal framework last week. The proposal encompasses a baseline of $1.5 trillion in committee spending reductions, aiming for $2 trillion overall, while setting a $4.5 trillion ceiling on deficit implications stemming from the Republican strategy to extend Trump’s 2017 tax measures. Additionally, it allocates $300 billion for border and defense spending and raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.
When questioned about whether the House budget framework could support Trump’s tax objectives, including the extension of his first-term tax reductions and the elimination of federal taxes on tips and overtime earnings, Thune responded, “The House Budget resolution doesn’t allow for that but that’ll have to be changed.”
It’s time to act on the decisive mandate the American people gave to President Trump in November.
Securing the border, rebuilding our defense, and unleashing American energy. That starts this week with passing Chairman @LindseyGrahamSC’s budget.
Let’s get it done.
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) February 18, 2025
The Senate Republicans are pursuing their own strategy this week, seeking to advance Trump’s priorities through a two-step process, unlike the House’s comprehensive bill approach. Their focus encompasses border security, immigration, fossil fuel production, and defense, with tax matters to follow subsequently.
A Senate vote of 50-47 initiated the budget resolution deliberations. The Trump administration has aligned with the Senate’s position, particularly emphasizing the necessity of border funding.
“It’s time to act on the decisive mandate the American people gave to President Trump in November,” Thune posted Tuesday afternoon on X. “Securing the border, rebuilding our defense, and unleashing American energy. That starts this week with passing Chairman @LindseyGrahamSC’s budget. Let’s get it done.”
The House and the Senate want the same outcome: to quickly pass @POTUS’ full agenda.
That is why the Senate is here working and moving forward on Chairman @LindseyGrahamSC’s budget resolution that will preserve optionality and unlock the process to provide the necessary… pic.twitter.com/5exMnnnTsu
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) February 19, 2025
However, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., remains committed to the House’s unified approach during the chamber’s current recess. Johnson responded on X, stating, “The House budget resolution implements President Trump’s FULL America First agenda, not just parts of it with promises to come back later for the rest.”
He further emphasized, “We remain laser-focused on sending our bill to President Trump’s desk to secure the border, keep taxes low, restore American energy dominance, strengthen America’s military, and make government work better for all Americans. The American people gave us a mandate and we MUST deliver.”
