Senate plan for Trump budget bill gets pushback from House Freedom Caucus chief

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, a Republican from Maryland, has made it clear that he would oppose the Senate’s version of a comprehensive legislation aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda if it were to be voted on in the House this week.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Monday morning, Harris stated, “At this point, I would vote against it.” As the leader of the House GOP’s most conservative group, he is the highest-ranking Republican lawmaker to come out against the legislation thus far.

Harris emphasized the need for the House and Senate to work on their own versions of the plan, especially after the Senate passed an amended version of the House’s legislation in the early hours of Saturday morning. He expressed concerns about the Senate’s version mandating at least $4 billion in spending cuts, compared to the $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion proposed by the House.

While Harris acknowledged the potential for meaningful deficit reduction by the Senate, he stressed the importance of understanding the specifics before committing to their budget resolution. He suggested that if the Senate delivers on deficit reduction as promised, he would be open to supporting their version of the bill.

The proposed legislation, dubbed “one big, beautiful bill” by Trump, aims to address key issues such as border security, defense, energy, and taxes. Designed to be passed through the budget reconciliation process, which lowers the Senate’s threshold for certain fiscal measures, the bill has the potential to bring about significant policy changes.

The House’s framework, which passed in late February, included funding for defense and border security, as well as provisions to extend Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It also called for substantial spending cuts, contingent on the impact of Trump’s tax policies on the national deficit. The Senate’s version, on the other hand, includes a higher debt limit increase and raises some concerns among fiscal hawks.

Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to hold a vote on the Senate’s amended version this week, Harris and other conservatives argue that there is no need to rush the process. They believe that the House can begin crafting its own reconciliation bill without voting on the Senate’s version first.

In a letter to House GOP colleagues, Johnson reassured lawmakers that the Senate’s passage of its framework does not impede the House’s process. He emphasized the importance of achieving historic spending reductions while protecting essential programs in the final reconciliation bill.

As Congress moves forward with the reconciliation process, Harris remains committed to ensuring that deficit reduction remains a top priority. While he may not support the Senate’s immediate offering, he is open to backing their work if they deliver on their promise of meaningful deficit reduction.

In conclusion, Harris’s stance reflects the ongoing debate within the GOP over the best approach to advancing Trump’s agenda through reconciliation. As Congress navigates the complexities of crafting a comprehensive bill, the need for fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction remains a key consideration for lawmakers like Harris.