GOP Rallies Behind Trump

In a major breakthrough for President Donald Trump’s economic vision, top Republican lawmakers emerged from a high-level meeting at the Treasury Department Tuesday with renewed momentum and increasing unity.

The goal? To move forward swiftly with a comprehensive bill that supports American taxpayers, secures the economy, and delivers on the conservative promises made to the American people.

House and Senate Republicans Close Ranks

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and top economic advisors in a strategic push to reconcile differences between the House and Senate budget proposals.

“A lot of progress,” Johnson said confidently upon returning to Capitol Hill. “The House and Senate are closely aligned.”

Thune echoed the optimism, calling the meeting “constructive” and “productive.”

This cooperation is critical as Republicans aim to use budget reconciliation, a process that allows legislation to pass with a simple GOP majority—without Democrat interference.

A “Big, Beautiful Bill” to Lift the Debt Ceiling

One major hurdle—how to address the debt ceiling—is now nearing resolution.

Both chambers are coalescing around the idea of wrapping the debt limit increase into what President Trump has dubbed a “big, beautiful bill.” The House already included it; now Senate Republicans appear ready to follow suit.

“There’s a consensus forming,” Thune said. “This is the cleanest way to get it done.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) agreed: “Attaching it to reconciliation is the best way to pass it with Republican votes.”

With the Congressional Budget Office set to issue a warning about default timelines, timing is critical.

Deadline Set: April 7

According to GOP insiders, the Senate aims to vote on a joint budget resolution the week of April 7, just before lawmakers break for Passover and Easter.

Speaker Johnson backed the plan.

“We’re being aggressive in the House, and there’s no daylight between us and the Senate on this,” Johnson said.

Medicaid Cuts Raise Concerns — But GOP Staying Focused

One issue still causing friction? Medicaid cuts.

The House resolution includes $880 billion in proposed savings. The Congressional Budget Office warns these can’t be achieved without touching the social safety net.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is holding the line: “No cuts to Medicaid.”

He and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) even supported a Democrat amendment to block Medicaid cuts if tax breaks for wealthy Americans are included.

However, leaders stress that the broader $1.5 trillion in spending reductions is key to long-term fiscal health—and some conservatives argue that even more cuts are needed.

GOP Seeks to Make Trump Tax Cuts Permanent

At the heart of this effort is a push to lock in the Trump tax cuts of 2017.

Those tax reductions—set to expire at year’s end—saved working Americans and retirees billions. Now, Republicans are exploring a strategy called the “current policy baseline” that would extend those tax rates indefinitely without adding to the deficit.

The cost of making those tax cuts permanent? Roughly $4.5 trillion over the next decade.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the Senate parliamentarian to make sure the plan holds up under reconciliation rules.

“We believe it works,” Hoeven said. “We’re going to do it. We want to make the tax cuts permanent for American families.”

Parliamentarian Ruling Could Be Pivotal

If the Senate parliamentarian approves the current policy baseline, the path forward becomes clearer. If not, Republicans will need a Plan B.

Still, confidence remains high, especially with support from President Trump behind the scenes.

Even if some hardliners hesitate, Trump’s influence has brought many Republicans back into alignment.

Speaker Johnson remains cautiously optimistic: “We’re waiting for more information, but there’s a clear vision. The House and Senate are getting very close.”

GOP Focused on Delivering Real Results

Not everyone will get everything they want, GOP leaders admit. But the focus is on delivering for the American people—cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, and strengthening the economy for future generations.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) summed it up:

“We’re narrowing the gap. Not everyone’s going to be happy, but we’re making real progress.”

With strong leadership, clear conservative principles, and Trump’s pro-growth legacy as a guiding light, Republicans are on track to deliver meaningful victories in the weeks ahead.