Donald Trump, Mike Johnson and John Thune’s big meeting didn’t do anything to settle Republicans’ mounting legislative headaches.
But GOP leaders are indicating they’re going to move forward on at least one area. They’re nearing agreement on government funding totals and hope to finalize a number and inform impatient members in the coming days, according to two people granted anonymity to speak freely about the behind-the-scenes talks.
That’s a good sign for appropriators, who reiterated Tuesday night that they want some clearer answers on the spending bills — as soon as this morning’s private House GOP conference meeting. Energy and Water Subcommittee Chair Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) said they’ve been “hoping for a topline number for months.”
“Quite frankly, we’re a little angry that we did all of our work, busted our butts to get it done by July, and here we are,” Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) added.
A strategy on reconciliation still hasn’t come together, though. Trump reiterated his preference for one sweeping bill over two packages to Johnson and Thune on Tuesday. But once the leaders returned to the Hill, the clash over how to proceed continued.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the one-bill strategy was settled, while Thune indicated he was still open to his chamber splitting off tax policies from the border and energy goals.
Here’s what else we’re watching today:
- Hegseth, Ratcliffe, Noem: Thune filed cloture on Tuesday night on these three nominees: John Ratcliffe for CIA director, Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, and Kristi Noem for DHS secretary. The three are now set to get confirmation votes this week, and are expected to come up in that order. We’re watching to see how much Democrats are going to fight against the nominees, specifically after Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleged he had caused his second wife to fear for her safety.
- Other nominees: Russell Vought has his second confirmation hearing scheduled for OMB Director, this time in the Senate Budget Committee. Transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy will get a confirmation vote in the Senate Commerce Committee.
- TikTok Split: Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who led the effort to pass legislation banning TikTok last year are grappling with how to respond to Trump’s executive order to give the company a reprieve. Members of the panel will soon be formally briefed on Trump’s action, according to a committee Republican granted anonymity to share private details.
- Laken Riley Act: The GOP’s first immigration bill of the new Congress will get its final passage vote in the House today, and is expected to clear the chamber and head to Trump’s desk.
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Jordain Carney and Ben Leonard contributed to this report.