Senate Advances Budget Resolution, Faces GOP Pressure

The Senate released a budget resolution as part of a compromise with the House of Representatives, aiming to align with President Trump's agenda by reducing the deficit by $1.5 trillion over a decade and making the 2017 tax cuts permanent. Republicans in both the House and Senate are strategizing to pass this budget resolution through reconciliation, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate. A key tactic involves using a current policy baseline to extend tax cuts without accounting for costs, pending approval by the Senate parliamentarian. Meanwhile, in Maryland, Senate Republicans are advocating for budget balancing without tax increases, proposing significant cuts, which Democrats oppose due to potential negative impacts on low-income families. GOP leaders, including John Thune, are under pressure to advance the budget plan swiftly, aiming for adoption before a scheduled recess. Differences in budgetary allocations between the House and Senate, particularly around defense and homeland security spending, remain unresolved.