The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $145 billion fiscal blueprint this week, intended to initiate a third budget reconciliation process for the 119th Congress. The resolution, H.Con.Res. 113, includes funding for military aid to Iran, farm assistance, and provisions from a Republican election proposal. Under reconciliation rules, the measure would allow the GOP-led Senate to pass subsequent legislation with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes typically required to bypass a filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has expressed uncertainty regarding the bill's path in the upper chamber. With the indefinite absence of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) due to health reasons, Senate Republicans can only afford two defections to pass the measure, assuming unified Democratic opposition. Senator Thune stated he intends to prioritize government funding past a September 30 deadline before addressing the budget resolution.
Internal disagreements among Senate Republicans involve both the cost and the content of the proposal. Fiscal conservatives, including Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have called for spending offsets, which the House version lacks. Conversely, defense and agriculture proponents have questioned if the allocated funding is sufficient. Some members expressed concern that the reconciliation process would trigger a series of politically difficult votes, known as a 'vote-a-rama,' shortly before the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump released a video Wednesday urging supporters to contact Senator Thune to demand the bill's passage, specifically citing the inclusion of the SAVE America Act. While House Speaker Mike Johnson described the package as a priority for the party, some Senate Republicans, such as Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), stated they are unsure if the necessary votes exist to advance the resolution in its current form.