Posted on 12/16/2024 5:41:58 AM PST by RandFan
But the biggest conversation in town right now centers on the Republican strategy for passing DONALD TRUMP’s agenda next year, and we’re told discussions about that strategy percolated in Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday.
Both Speaker MIKE JOHNSON and incoming Senate majority leader JOHN THUNE were on hand for the game. Both men are anxious to get the internal debate over next steps settled, and both know only Trump can do the settling.
Thune has been a firm proponent of a two-track approach: Use the Senate’s reconciliation process to fast-track a border-and-energy bill first, then use reconciliation again later in the year to tackle taxes. Johnson, meanwhile, showed up to the game armed with a slew of other ideas.
Johnson wasn’t trying to talk Trump out of the two-track strategy — which many of Trump’s closest aides favor — and he has made clear that he’ll execute whatever strategy Trump ultimately endorses.
But the speaker is dealing with significant angst in the House over the idea of decoupling the bills, most prominently from Ways and Means Chair JASON SMITH (R-Mo.) — and he made sure Trump was fully briefed on the risks and benefits of the various approaches, we’re told.
— The case for one bill: In short, the fear is that the politics within the razor-thin GOP House majority are too fragile to risk anything but a single-bill approach. What if conservatives, for instance, threaten to oppose any tax bill that raises SALT, the state and local tax deduction fix that blue-state Republicans are demanding? If border provisions aren’t in the bill, how can they be enticed to vote yes?
Another worry: Passing a “skinny” first reconciliation bill in the early weeks of Trump’s second term could be harder than it looks given that their majority could shrink to a single vote at the beginning of the year due to Trump tapping several House members for his administration.
— The case for two bills: On the other side of the Rotunda — and among some senior Trump advisers — annoyance is growing that this conversation is even still happening. The tax bill, they argue, is going to take months to write, and Trump wants a quick win on his signature campaign issue, pronto.
The incoming administration also wants to put its stamp on the tax bill, they argue, it will take time to not only get a Treasury secretary confirmed but also stand up the administration’s tax policy staff.
Some Trump advisers also doubt that passing a second reconciliation bill later in the year will be as difficult as some in the House are predicting. Riding high after browbeating senators into giving PETE HEGSETH’s Defense nomination a second life, Trump’s team is feeling skeptical that any Republican would dare tank Trump’s tax priorities.
— The next steps: Trump advisers feel they’ve been pretty clear about what the incoming president wants — both privately and publicly (see incoming deputy chief of staff STEPHEN MILLER endorsing the Thune plan on Fox News).
Two track. Pass the skinny bill now. Let more house seats be filled by special elections, etc. Then go after the big bill. However, do NOT remove SALT. It’s one of the reasons the blue states are emptying out, and yet it’s clear that no one in the blue states who is still there is upset about it based on the radical shifts to the right.
I know there is prolly controlled leaks for manipulation purposes, but if there starts to be real leaks of private conversations and strategy, this time Trump needs an all out hunt down of the perp and hang them - figurative or literally, I don’t care which.
never underestimate the rat scumbags
Johnson and Thune? RINO’s, GOPe, capitulators. never heard of the other guy
The article talks about it taking a few months to get a tax bill written and passed. Why is that? Do they really need to have all the K Street Lobbyists coming in to get their pork peeves implanted into the process and continue to screw over America?
I trust Stephen Miller. He has been a solid bedrock conservative for 20 years, and has NEVER wavered from issues that are important for conservative Americans and the constitutionalist agenda.
Although I do not trust the feeble milquetoast John Thune, I will give deference to Miller. The two step approach is the way to go.
The Politico is DNCMedia mouthpiece.
Whatever they writes is written to breed doubt and dissention between Conservatives.
We’ve got work to do. Roll up your sleeves and get going, Johnson and Thune!
Scott was Trump’s pick was 5 votes short. Tennesseans had to pressure Blackburn a Thune supporter into voting Scott.
THE USUAL 5 BIG RINOS. So far Linda G is not bucking Trump to much.
Thune knows he is toast in the South Dakota senate primary in 2026 if he in any way impedes the Trump agenda.
I looked it up.
"Did you mean dissension?
This can be resolved. Raise index SALT to the inflation rate. That will be good for 20%+ from its inception, but still preserve the principle of not rewarding high tax states.
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