As the Republicans prepare to take power in Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson likens his role to that of a quarterback, with President-elect Donald Trump as the coach directing their legislative priorities.
However, as Trump prepares to meet with GOP senators on Capitol Hill, the Republicans are grappling with a conundrum: how to proceed when the coach alters his strategy?
Trump's inconsistent signals regarding the best approach to advance the party's legislative agenda have left Republicans in a quandary. The stakes are high, with tax cuts, border security, funds for immigrant deportation, and initiatives to bolster oil and gas energy production hanging in the balance. These are key priorities for Republicans as they prepare to take the reins in the White House, House, and Senate.
According to AP News, House Republicans are advocating for a single legislative package, while Senate leaders are suggesting at least two. Over the weekend, Trump expressed his preference for "one big, beautiful bill." However, by Monday, he had reconsidered, leaving the door open to the possibility of two bills. "Well, I like one big beautiful bill, and I always have, I always will, Trump stated at a Tuesday press conference. But if two is more certain, it does go a little bit quicker, because you can do the immigration stuff early.
As Trump's inauguration on January 20th looms, Republicans are striving to reconcile their differences. They have been holding private meetings with Trump to establish a game plan, aiming to achieve significant accomplishments within the first 100 days of his administration. The urgency is palpable, as political capital is typically at its zenith at the start of a new presidential term. This is particularly true for Trump, who is entering his second term and is constitutionally barred from a third.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, used a football metaphor to describe the situation. We have very well-designed plays. Now we are working out the sequence of those plays, working with a new head coach, in that metaphor, President Trump, he said. We are excited about how all of that is rolling out.
The Republicans are relying on the budget reconciliation process, a complex legislative tool, to advance Trump's priorities. This strategy carries significant risk but also the potential for substantial reward. Reconciliation allows Congress to pass bills on a majority basis, bypassing the threat of a Senate filibuster that could delay or kill action. However, it is also a stringent, time-consuming process that can easily unravel.
The Republicans' strategy is particularly appealing in the face of staunch Democratic opposition to their agenda. However, it is especially challenging for Republicans to go it alone due to their slim majorities, particularly in the House, where Johnson will need almost unanimous Republican support.
Trump is expected to meet with House Republicans at his Mar-a-Lago club this weekend. Rep. Kevin Hern, a Republican from Oklahoma, supports the House's one-bill approach. He believes that with one comprehensive bill, "You're not going to get everything that you want." He posed the question, So how do we put something together that everybody can get something?
Trump's propensity for changing his mind, a trait that Congress members have become accustomed to during his first term, continues to be a factor. Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said Trump simply wants all of it done. He added, He supports the one bill, but he also wants both. Either one. If it takes two, it takes two.
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