Speaker Johnson Backs Trump's Comprehensive Bill

Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that President-elect Donald Trump prefers a single, comprehensive reconciliation bill that incorporates his key priorities, aiming for passage by May. This ambitious bill is set to address issues such as border security, tax cuts, and energy policies, utilizing the reconciliation process to bypass the need for Democratic support. However, GOP lawmakers are divided, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and others supporting a two-part strategy instead. The House Freedom Caucus also favors splitting the legislation, which could complicate Johnson's efforts to unify Republican members for a single package. Despite these internal divisions, Johnson emphasized the urgency to consolidate Trump's agenda before the 2026 midterm elections. The controversial use of reconciliation for such a sweeping bill raises questions about its feasibility given the strict rules governing the process.