Senate Republicans are set to vote on their budget resolution this week as the chamber makes its move toward enacting a big chunk of President Trump’s agenda.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday announced plans for the chamber to take up the measure that the Senate Budget Committee advanced last week, putting it on track to hit the floor this week as the chamber puts pressure on the House to act.
“It’s time to act on the decisive mandate the American people gave to President Trump in November. Securing the border, rebuilding our defense, and unleashing American energy. That starts this week with passing Chairman @LindseyGrahamSC ’s budget,” Thune wrote on X, referring to the Budget panel chair. “Let’s get it done.”
The budget resolution would tee up a package of roughly $325 billion to bolster border operations and allow Trump’s deportation plans to be executed, boost defense spending and green-light energy plans.
The move also sets up what will be a process that will consume much of the chamber’s time this week. From the time the resolution is filed, 50 hours of debate will take place, followed by a vote-a-rama — an hours-long period where the chamber will vote on myriad amendments.
Many of those amendments will be brought forth by Democrats, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to force votes on the floor that could not happen otherwise. Many of those amendments could be used to make GOP members take what could be politically perilous votes.
The action comes days after the House, under pressure from the upper chamber, advanced a separate budget resolution that would serve as the umbrella for a tax cut up to $4.5 trillion in “one big, beautiful bill,” as Trump and GOP members refer to it.
The two chambers have been duking it out for months over which avenue is the best way to enact Trump’s agenda. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) have forcefully backed the one-bill approach as they may only have one bite at the apple in the House given their slim majority.
Senate GOP lawmakers, headlined by Thune and Graham, have plowed ahead on the two-bill plan as it would put points on the board in quick order during Trump’s first 100 days and unleash money for the White House’s border efforts.
“Border czar” Tom Homan appeared on Capitol Hill to appeal for that funding to be approved as soon as possible.
