Johnson reveals Trump’s wishes on delivering huge policy overhaul in closed-door meeting

In a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., revealed that President-elect Trump is pushing for a conservative policy overhaul to be passed via a single large bill. The sources told Fox News Digital that Trump wants both the House and Senate to have this bill on his desk by May, signaling his strong support for a unified approach to passing Republican goals.

The use of reconciliation, a process that allows the Senate to bypass the traditional 60-vote threshold in favor of a simple majority for legislation focused on budgetary and fiscal matters, will be key in passing this comprehensive bill. This approach is expected to end the growing intraparty friction on how to pass conservative policy changes next year.

House Republicans met behind closed doors at Washington’s Fort McNair to discuss the plan, with Speaker Johnson emphasizing Trump’s desire for a single reconciliation bill. This decision comes after Congressional Republicans were divided on whether to pass one or two reconciliation bills.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune had previously suggested splitting Republicans’ priorities into two bills, but this proposal faced pushback from House Republicans who argued that one bill would be more feasible. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith advocated for a single bill that addresses border security, energy, permitting, and tax policies.

The push for a single reconciliation bill aligns with House Republicans’ efforts to prevent an increase in taxes for everyday Americans if Trump’s tax policies were to expire. The focus on border security provisions, extending Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and passing measures on energy and defense underscores the comprehensive approach that Trump and Republican lawmakers are aiming for.

While there were differing opinions on whether one or two reconciliation bills should be pursued, the decision to move forward with a single bill reflects a unified effort to deliver on key conservative policy priorities. With Trump’s support and a clear strategy in place, Republicans are poised to make significant legislative progress in the coming months.