Vice President JD Vance met with House Republicans on Wednesday to advocate for a $95 billion budget reconciliation package. The proposed framework includes funding for military operations involving Iran, agricultural aid, and election administration measures derived from the SAVE America Act. Vance characterized the reconciliation process as the most effective method to advance the administration's legislative priorities through Congress.
Several House Republicans expressed opposition to the plan, citing the absence of spending offsets or cuts to address the national deficit. Representative Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) stated that members had previously been told the package would include spending reductions, while Representative Chip Roy (R-Tex.) indicated that the budget framework requires more work before it can gain enough support to pass the House Budget Committee.
GOP leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have shifted focus toward a version of the bill that prioritizes military funding and election oversight. Scalise noted that while discussions regarding offsets continue, identifying politically viable spending cuts remains a challenge. The House Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up the proposal on Thursday morning.
Supporters of the plan, such as House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.), urged members to back the leadership's strategy. The reconciliation process allows the bill to bypass the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate, though the inclusion of non-fiscal items like voter ID grants must comply with specific chamber rules to remain eligible for the procedure.