Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been forced to cast aside President Donald Trump’s “whims” amid a “formidable” dilemma facing Congressional Republicans this week, a week that serves as one of the party’s “last” chances to advance the White House’s agenda, Punchbowl News reported Wednesday.
Under the leadership of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Republicans are pushing to advance a reconciliation package that includes $60 billion for the Pentagon to help cover costs of the deeply unpopular U.S. war against Iran. The House will adjourn for a five-week recess on Thursday, giving House lawmakers a short window of opportunity to advance the legislation.
On Tuesday, however, Thune spoiled Johnson’s plans by declaring he “wouldn’t advance” the reconciliation package – scheduled for a House vote on Wednesday – until the Senate finds a path toward advancing a broader government funding bill for next fiscal year, Punchbowl News reported.
“Let's be clear about how disastrous it would be to jam through a [continuing resolution] via reconciliation," Punchbowl News’ report reads. "It means Democrats could force an unlimited number of amendment votes at a simple-majority threshold on pretty much any topic."
“Thune is looking to protect his vulnerable senators from yet another vote-a-rama. As he finds himself increasingly at odds with Trump, Thune is looking out for his Senate majority – not Trump’s whims.”
Further complicating matters is the SAVE Act, Trump's controversial voter ID bill. While the House has passed the SAVE Act multiple times, Thune has repeatedly stated that the bill lacks enough support to advance in the Senate.
“Senate Republicans are skeptical they can get any of the SAVE Act included in the reconciliation bill,” Punchbowl News’ report reads. "That will cause major problems with House Republicans."
The report emphasizes the widening rift between two powerful GOP leaders.
“We’re seeing once again the massive gulf between Johnson and Thune," it states. "The two top Republicans seem to have different motivations at the moment and are handling their jobs very differently.”