GOP puts budget process in motion, slating weekend ‘vote-a-rama’

Senate Republicans have paved the way for a crucial vote on the latest version of a budget that will advance several key agenda items for President Trump. This includes funding for the southern border and extending his 2017 tax cuts. The motion to proceed was agreed to in the upper chamber just one day after Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham introduced the Senate’s amendment to the House’s budget plan.

The Senate’s changes to the budget resolution include raising the debt ceiling by up to $5 trillion and making Trump’s tax cuts permanent by utilizing a current policy baseline. This move was determined by the chairman, in an effort to solidify Trump’s economic policies for the long term. The Senate’s decision to move forward with the budget resolution sets the stage for a vote-a-rama, where senators will have the opportunity to introduce and vote on an unlimited number of amendments.

The marathon amendment votes are expected to take place on Friday afternoon or evening, following the conclusion of the debate. This intense period of voting is a critical step in the budget reconciliation process, which allows the GOP to pass legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold. This process is crucial for Republicans to push through Trump’s priorities without the support of Democrats.

After the amended budget resolution passes in the Senate, which is expected to happen on Saturday, the House will need to approve it as well. This marks a significant advancement for Republicans in their efforts to enact Trump’s policies through reconciliation. The reconciliation process is seen as a key tool for the Republican majority in Washington to achieve Trump’s legislative agenda.

Initially, there was disagreement among Republicans in the House and Senate on how to structure the budget resolution. House leaders preferred a single reconciliation bill addressing both border funding and tax cuts, while Senate Republicans wanted to separate the issues into two bills. Ultimately, Trump’s support for a single bill that included both priorities swayed the decision in favor of the House’s strategy.

Overall, the progress made by Senate Republicans in advancing the budget resolution is a significant step towards achieving Trump’s policy objectives. The upcoming vote-a-rama and subsequent approval by the House will solidify the path for funding the southern border and extending Trump’s tax cuts, demonstrating the GOP’s commitment to fulfilling the president’s agenda.