Trump backs Johnson’s one-bill plan in GOP budget fight
The president spurned Senate Republicans’ approach despite deep uncertainty around whether the House speaker can win the votes required to pass his full agenda.
First things first: President Donald Trump escalated the GOP’s internal fight this morning, backing House Republicans’ one-bill strategy to enact his legislative agenda just hours after Senate Republicans advanced a two-pronged plan.
“The House and Senate are doing a SPECTACULAR job of working together as one unified, and unbeatable, TEAM, however, unlike the Lindsey Graham version of the very important Legislation currently being discussed, the House Resolution implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social app this morning.
What it means: Trump’s endorsement is a public rebuke of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Graham (R-S.C.), chair of the Senate Budget Committee.
The two senators grew impatient with the House’s inability to unify around its approach and decided to take the reins themselves. The duo and Senate Republican leadership have been sidelined right when they thought they were off to the races.
Trump’s preference also gives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) a political boost. Johnson is spending the recess working the phones with his leadership team to shore up support ahead of a possible floor vote next week to adopt the House’s budget plan. Johnson can only afford to lose one vote.