Senate GOP leadership staffers indicated to rank-and-file GOP offices Monday that they aren’t even close to resolving Senate demands on the House budget plan, according to two people who were part of the closed-door meeting.
Both chambers need to adopt identical budget plans to move forward on President Donald Trump’s massive agenda on the border, energy and taxes. House Republicans narrowly advanced their budget plan last week. But progress has slowed as lawmakers shift their attention to averting a federal shutdown that would kick in on March 15.
“Nothing has been ironed out with the House,” said one of the people, who was granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting.
Senate GOP leadership staffers instead said Republican senators need to be prepared to act should Trump want to move forward with border and national security spending — as the Senate budget outlined — before the one “big beautiful bill” is completed, that person added.
House Republicans are growing irked that their Senate colleagues aren’t quickly moving on the House budget plan, according to three Republicans familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to speak frankly.
Senators had previously indicated that they want potential adjustments to the House resolution, including making Trump’s tax cuts permanent, pulling back some of the House’s proposed deep spending cuts and removing the provision to raise the debt ceiling.
Senate Republicans aren’t expected to act on the House plan for several weeks.
