GOP Unable To Promote Trump’s Agenda

House Republicans are facing significant hurdles as they work to advance President Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda, with internal disagreements threatening to derail their timeline. With the pressure mounting from the Senate, which plans to push through a more streamlined plan by mid-week, House Republicans are feeling the heat. They had hoped to rally behind a single comprehensive bill that would include tax cuts, border security measures, and energy priorities, but divisions within the party are starting to show.

Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), the chair of the House Budget Committee, announced on Tuesday that his committee would take action on a budget resolution by Thursday. However, the framework he proposed was met with immediate pushback, particularly from Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Arrington’s plan suggested a $4.5 trillion cap for extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which Smith argued was too low. He pointed out that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated a 10-year extension would cost over $4.7 trillion, suggesting that anything less would undermine Trump’s tax policy.

The two lawmakers, who will need to cooperate closely to finalize the details, face an uphill battle. For Republicans to push the bill through Congress and onto the president’s desk, a unified effort will be essential, especially given their slim majorities. They are attempting to use a special reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, but the clock is ticking, and the GOP remains divided over key issues like tax cuts and spending.

Many GOP members are skeptical about whether the Thursday deadline will be met, citing frustrations over disagreements within the party and concerns about fiscal hawks pushing for deeper spending cuts. Some members of the House Freedom Caucus have expressed doubt about leadership’s commitment to cutting spending. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) voiced his skepticism, recalling past disappointments where promises to avoid wasteful spending were not kept. Until they see concrete action, many Republicans are wary of trusting leadership again.

Despite the looming uncertainty, House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), are holding firm to their plan. Johnson, when asked about the Thursday markup, indicated optimism, though he acknowledged that the process would be challenging. Scalise admitted that the agenda was aggressive, but stressed the importance of pushing forward. “Trump is moving aggressively in his presidency, and so are we,” Scalise remarked.

The House Republicans’ plan will need to navigate a tightrope between appeasing fiscal conservatives and meeting the broader goals of the Trump agenda. With significant disagreement within the party, the Senate may ultimately take the lead on the legislation, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) pushing ahead with a more streamlined proposal. However, the House GOP is determined to meet their deadline, and despite the obstacles, they are pressing forward in hopes of delivering on their promises.