‘Stay tuned’: GOP leaders struggle over how to advance Trump’s legislative agenda
Top Republicans on Capitol Hill are still jockeying over how to advance Donald Trump’s vast legislative agenda, as the incoming president’s comments have given little clarity about how GOP leaders should proceed.
Trump said on Monday that he prefers one large package — which would cover the border, energy and tax reforms — but is open to two bills. It’s stoking divisions between Senate and House GOP leaders, as Speaker Mike Johnson publicly pushes one bill, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune favors separating tax priorities from immigration and energy.
The speaker told House Republicans Saturday that Trump wants “one big beautiful bill.” But Senate Republicans quietly pushed back on that assertion all weekend, arguing they were still negotiating the best strategy.
“Senators will surely discuss it this week,” said a senior GOP aide granted anonymity to speak candidly, adding that they were continuing with a two-track plan for now.
Both Johnson and Thune said Monday that they’re talking about the best path forward.
“We're working through all that,” Thune said. “The process issues to me are a lot less important than the results."
Johnson told reporters as he arrived at the Capitol on Monday that he spoke with Trump that morning and Sunday night about how to proceed. Johnson also said he was “in dialogue” with Thune.
“The two houses will get together and we'll get it done. So stay tuned,” Johnson said.
“Some people like the one-bill strategy. Some people like the two-bill strategy,” he added. “We will work that out.”
Trump publicly put his weight behind one massive legislative package Sunday night. But, just hours later, he suggested he would support two separate tracks if needed, causing further turmoil at the Capitol.
Trump is hosting scores of House Republicans later this week at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to discuss the plans. He’ll meet with members of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus Friday night. Members of the group have pressed for a two-track process, as they want to prioritize passing border policies quickly.
“That’s going to be the first major, I think, hurdle for a united Republican body, to see if we can actually do that,” Freedom Caucus Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said of Republicans’ ability to quickly land on a strategy.
Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.