Senate signals movement on Trump agenda as Budget chair Graham rolls out Senate amendment

Senate Committee on the Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., made a groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday, revealing the Senate’s changes to a House-passed budget resolution. This development marks a significant step forward in advancing President Donald Trump’s key agenda items through Congress. The Senate’s amendment, which includes raising the debt ceiling by no more than $5 trillion, addresses a long-standing request from Trump dating back to before his second term in office.

The looming deadline for a potential default has been a pressing concern for Republicans in the Senate, making the inclusion of the debt ceiling in the reconciliation process a crucial move. By raising the debt ceiling through reconciliation, Republicans aim to prevent Democrats from gaining leverage in future negotiations, as a separate vote to raise the ceiling would require 60 votes, necessitating bipartisan support.

One of the key provisions of the Senate amendment is the ability to vote on raising the debt ceiling separately from the rest of the budget resolution, in case the “X Date” approaches before Republicans are ready to vote on the entire reconciliation package. This flexibility allows for timely action to avoid a default while still ensuring a comprehensive budget process.

Reconciliation, which lowers the vote threshold in the Senate from 60 to 51, is a powerful tool for Republicans to advance Trump’s policies without Democratic support. By making the House’s proposed extension of the Trump tax cuts permanent, the Senate amendment builds on existing policies to provide a more practical and realistic budget projection.

Senate Republicans have strategically avoided the need for a ruling from the parliamentarian by leveraging the authority granted to the budget chairman to set the current policy baseline. This approach streamlines the budget process and minimizes potential obstacles to passing the reconciliation package.

The release of the Senate amendment follows extensive discussions among key stakeholders, including Trump, House and Senate leaders, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. A meeting between Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Budget Committee Republicans provided a final opportunity to align on the amendment’s details before its unveiling.

The White House meeting served as a crucial checkpoint to ensure consensus among all parties involved in the budget process. The collaborative efforts of Senate Republicans and administration officials demonstrate a commitment to advancing Trump’s agenda and securing a successful passage of the reconciliation resolution.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leads coverage of the U.S. Senate and brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner. Stay updated on Julia’s reporting by following her on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and share tips at Julia.Johnson@fox.com.