In a private meeting on Saturday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) informed House Republicans that President-elect Donald Trump wants to consolidate legislative priorities into a single reconciliation package, a sharp departure from the two-package strategy favored by many GOP lawmakers. The meeting, held at Fort McNair, focused on the party’s legislative plans for 2024, with Republicans eager to use their anticipated trifecta to push through their agenda.
According to multiple sources present, Johnson conveyed Trump’s desire for “one big beautiful bill,” signaling a streamlined approach to advancing key priorities. This stance has created friction within the party, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and the conservative House Freedom Caucus had advocated for a two-track plan.
The Two-Bill Divide
Thune’s proposed strategy includes two reconciliation packages: one focused on border security and defense and the other aimed at extending Trump-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2025. This approach has gained traction among conservatives who argue that splitting the legislation would ensure critical priorities, like border security funding, are addressed swiftly.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chairman of the Freedom Caucus, reiterated this position in a Saturday interview with Fox News, emphasizing the need for immediate action on the border. “There are a group of us who support breaking it up into two pieces,” Harris said, highlighting the urgency of providing resources for border security and deportations.
Diverging Views in the GOP
Trump’s preference for a single reconciliation bill has found support from House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who has cited historical challenges in passing multiple packages within a year. Smith also pointed to the GOP’s slim majority, arguing it is impractical to attempt two major bills in a politically divided Congress.
“There have not been two reconciliations that have been signed into law in the same year,” Smith remarked in December. “And why would we think in a majority of 219 to 215 that we would overperform?”
However, Stephen Miller, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, has backed the two-package approach, further underscoring divisions within the president-elect’s circle.
What’s at Stake
The debate comes as Republicans prepare to take full control of the White House and Congress, aiming to bypass Democratic opposition and implement their priorities through the budget reconciliation process. The outcome of this internal GOP debate could determine how effectively the party capitalizes on its governing majority.
For now, Trump’s call for a single “big beautiful bill” underscores his preference for bold, comprehensive legislation, but it leaves House and Senate Republicans grappling with how best to translate their ambitions into law.