Republicans Are Pursuing Separate Paths To Get Trump's Priorities Through Congress

Senate Majority Leader John Thune teed up a vote this week on a budget plan that sets the stage for a massive boost in defense and border security spending, and leaves a looming tax cut fight for later this year.

The move is designed to give President Donald Trump an early policy win and put pressure on House Republicans to join rather than pursue a separate, more comprehensive effort that also risks taking far longer to pass, if at all.

Trump undercut the Senate GOP's efforts on Wednesday, calling on both chambers to pass the House budget resolution. "The House Resolution implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it," Trump wrote on social media.

Yet Thune is proceeding as planned, despite Trump's stated preference for the House effort.

"If the House can produce one big beautiful bill, we're prepared to work with them to get that across the finish line, but we believe the president also likes optionality," Thune said.