Senate Republicans Sideline House in Push for $300B Budget Deal

Republican senators are taking charge of a major budget resolution, growing frustrated with their House counterparts’ lack of progress, according to Punchbowl News. On X, reporter John Bresnahan revealed that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expects GOP senators “to mark up a defense-border-energy resolution next week in the Senate Budget Committee.”

This signals that Senate Republicans are moving forward on their own, bypassing the House. Both Graham and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) have expressed skepticism about the House’s ability to pass a resolution, with Graham stating that the Senate is stepping in to fill the leadership void. This development comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) insisted Wednesday morning that the House is “taking the lead” on the matter.

However, Punchbowl News reporter Jake Sherman called the Senate’s move “big news,” adding that “the Senate has had enough and is jumping in front of the House on reconciliation.” Johnson, responding to Graham’s remarks, emphasized the complexities of passing legislation in the House.

“He has to understand the reality of the House. It’s a very different chamber with very different dynamics, and the House needs to lead this if we’re going to have success,” Johnson said, as quoted by CNBC reporter Emily Wilkins.

Despite Johnson’s insistence, Graham has laid out a clear framework for the Senate’s budget plan. He told Bresnahan that the proposed resolution will amount to “$300 billion, with $150 billion each for border security and the Pentagon/defense. It will be offset.” Additionally, Graham noted that the new funding would cover a four-year period, ensuring long-term stability for defense and border security initiatives.

Fox News correspondent Chad Pergram reported that Graham stressed the urgency of securing the necessary funds, particularly for Trump’s immigration policies.

“It’s time for the Senate to move. I think it’s very important that we get Tom Homan the money he needs to complete the plan that President Trump promised. That means more ICE agents, building the wall, finishing technology to secure the border, and, you know, increasing bed space so you don’t have to let people go.

That can only happen with new money.” Graham further explained that the plan would be fully funded through reconciliation-compliant measures, meaning the cost would be offset to prevent increasing the federal deficit.

“We’re looking at somewhere around $150 billion for border security and a similar amount for the military, given the threats we face. It’s going to be paid for,” Graham stated. “We will instruct authorizing committees to find offsets that comply with reconciliation, and I hope to start it as early as next week.”

With Senate Republicans moving ahead, tensions between House and Senate GOP leadership continue to rise, raising questions about whether the fractured party can unite to advance Trump’s agenda.