Republicans returned to Washington facing an increasingly stalled agenda as tensions between the House and Senate jeopardize progress on President Donald Trump’s key legislative goals. Despite initial optimism following their government funding victory, GOP lawmakers now confront difficult negotiations over a sweeping bill that ties tax reform to energy, defense and border policies.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has pushed an ambitious timeline, aiming to finalize a budget blueprint and pass it through the House by early April. But with fundamental disagreements remaining over social spending cuts, tax break adjustments, and how to finance expiring tax provisions, many Republicans consider even this scaled-back timeline unrealistic. The Senate has shown particular skepticism about the House’s proposed $2 trillion in spending reductions, with key senators insisting they will modify the House’s version rather than rubber-stamp it.
The standoff has created a circular delay, with each chamber waiting for the other to make the first move. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to meet with Republican leaders this week in an effort to break the logjam. However, Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo expressed reservations about imposing strict deadlines, stating, “I’d like to have done it yesterday, but I just don’t find it helpful to set timelines.”
The ongoing impasse threatens to undermine Republican momentum, leaving the party struggling to demonstrate legislative achievements ahead of their next recess. With internal divisions showing no signs of easing, the path forward for Trump’s agenda remains uncertain.
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