The House Freedom Caucus is throwing its weight behind a two-step, party-line policy push, with the ultra-conservative bloc calling for an initial bill to address border security that’s fully paid for and a second push for tax and other policy priorities.
“Border security must move first — and then we should move forward to a second, larger reconciliation bill covering taxes, spending, energy, bureaucracy and more,” the group’s board of directors wrote in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson.
Divisions are already popping up among Republicans as to how to approach the reconciliation process with some, like Ways and Means Chair Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), calling for one bill. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune hasoutlined a plan for GOP senators in which the policy priorities would be split into two parts under budget reconciliation rules, which would allow the GOP to bypass a Democratic filibuster.
