'Camps are digging in': Reporter says GOP 'still at odds' over how to pass MAGA agenda
Republicans in Congress are still fighting with each other over two competing strategies about how to pass President-elect Donald Trump's agenda, reported NBC News' Sahil Kapur — despite Trump recently trying to weigh in on the matter.
The principal issue is over whether to do two reconciliation bills, one addressing energy and immigration, and one extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts, which is the favored strategy of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD); or to do a single giant reconciliation bill that includes both, which is the preference of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Trump recently tried to settle things in Johnson's favor, proclaiming that he wants "one big, beautiful bill." But that doesn't appear to have closed the matter, Kapur reported.
"JOHNSON & THUNE are still at odds on 1 vs. 2 bills to pass Trump's agenda. Trump hasn't resolved it," wrote Kapur. "The two camps are digging in."
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Proponents of the single-bill strategy argue that by tying everything together, they can keep quarrelsome elements like the House Freedom Caucus in line, since their own priorities would be sunk by tanking the overall bill. This is of particular interest to the House GOP, which has one of the narrowest majorities in American history and little room to lose any votes. Meanwhile, proponents of the two-bill strategy would prefer the simpler, less controversial elements to pass quickly on their own, and not be jeopardized by fights over unrelated issues.
According to Kapur, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) is open to letting the House attempt to pass a unified bill, while the Senate crafts a smaller bill that will be ready to go should the House strategy fail. Meanwhile, others are bemoaning the situation.
"The House is operating on a razor's edge," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) outright said "I don't see how it happens" that the House can pass a debt ceiling hike with only Republican votes.
Regardless, noted Kapur, "GOP senators say Trump needs money quickly for the border, and doing a tax bill will take time," with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) saying Republicans are thinking of a border package of $80 million to $100 million.