Republicans are planning to take the first steps toward a second reconciliation bill the week of April 20, but Republican leadership is pushing to keep it narrowly focused and free of tax provisions.
Republicans are turning to reconciliation due to a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump and congressional Republican leaders are seeking to use reconciliation to fund customs, border security, and immigration enforcement for up to three years outside of the appropriations process. Congress would then separately pass a bipartisan appropriations bill to restore funding for the rest of the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Republicans hope to release a draft budget resolution the week of April 20, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R- S.D., wants to keep the reconciliation bill narrowly focused to finish it by Trump’s June 1 deadline. “To execute on it and do it with any kind of speed, you’ve got to keep it really tight,” Thune told reporters on April 13.
But some Republicans are pushing to expand the legislation to include healthcare provisions, address other defense spending priorities, and even use tax provisions to pay for the bill. Thune has responded by warning members that giving the tax writing committees any reconciliation instructions could allow Democrats to force tough votes on tax amendments. Adding other issues could also threaten the near-unanimous consensus Republicans will need to pass the bill using their narrow majorities.
Republicans have also discussed using a third reconciliation bill for other priorities that would be based on the government fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Legislation will only become more difficult as the midterm election nears, however, and Republicans remain divided over their priorities.
