Congressional Republicans are currently in disagreement over major legislation relating to taxes, energy, and immigration, which will be central to President-elect Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. This highlights the challenges ahead as the party aims to unify despite narrow margins.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune caused tension within the Capitol by suggesting that the legislation should be split into two parts, with the first part focusing on border and energy issues to be passed within the first 30 days of the new administration, and the second part focusing on tax issues. Speaker Mike Johnson supported this strategy, although details are still being worked out.
However, some House Republicans, including key committee chairs needed to implement the plan, are expressing concerns and questioning the need to stick to this two-step approach. This disagreement underscores the difficulty Republican leaders will face in the upcoming term as they try to navigate the varied priorities of their members.
Supporters of the two-step strategy believe that passing a bill quickly will allow them to achieve early victories on key campaign promises, such as border security. Republican leaders are considering prioritizing a non-tax reconciliation bill first to address Trump’s border priorities swiftly.
While House leaders have been coordinating with Trump and his team on the legislative strategy, there are concerns that focusing on immigration in the first bill could complicate efforts to pass a tax package later in the year. Republicans are divided on tax policy, including issues like the state and local tax deduction.
Some members of the Ways and Means Committee are advocating for tax reform to be prioritized in the first reconciliation, emphasizing the need for predictability for businesses. Republican lawmakers are discussing their strategy during meetings, with some expressing concerns about the two-step approach.
Overall, Republicans are striving to avoid repeating past failures in delivering on policy promises and are aware of the challenges of navigating reconciliation rules. While there are differing opinions within the party, leaders are working to ensure unity and alignment between the House, Senate, and White House. Así que retrasar el proyecto de ley fiscal hasta más tarde en el año, algunos argumentan, permitiría a Johnson tener el margen más grande y un poco más de espacio para la oposición o ausencias del GOP.
“Casi necesitas una pizarra blanca para todas las piezas en movimiento, porque es más que simplemente: ¿Haces dos conciliaciones para los dos años de presupuesto abiertos diferentes, donde este es más de política y este es más de impuestos, financieros, deuda, problemas de déficit? Al mismo tiempo, ¿también estás calculando tus votos?”, dijo el representante David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), miembro de Ways and Means que argumentó que se trata menos de las personas “peleando” entre sí que de la complejidad general del proceso.
“Tienen una mayoría más grande en el Senado de la que tenemos en la Cámara. Y el problema es: Thune está gestionando sus ideas tradicionales del Senado, sin darse cuenta de que tenemos uno o dos votos que dar de nuestro lado”, agregó.
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