Staff Reports
Senate Republicans are gearing up for a big week as they prepare to vote on their own budget plan, seemingly disregarding former President Trump’s call for the approval of the House budget that champions the “FULL America First Agenda.” With Senate Republicans launching what they dub “Plan B,” it appears they are ready to make a backup plan in case House Republicans can’t muster enough votes for the Trump-sanctioned blueprint.
Lindsey Graham, the Senate Budget Committee Chairman, is leading this charge with the undeniable wit of a politician who knows they might just need a Plan B. In this case, “Plan B” entails a budget resolution that the Senate hopes will keep the political machine well-oiled amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, the “vote-a-rama” process promises to embody all the excitement of a root canal, allowing senators to propose endless amendments while Democrats roll out their routine attacks against Republican priorities. This endless amendment barrage will likely stretch into the weekend, ensuring that everyone has just enough time to regret their life choices.
No comment from Lindsey Graham as he headed to a Senate vote moments ago.
Trump just pantsed Senate Republicans on the budget and sided with Russia over Ukraine https://t.co/U5Pvglexgz
— Arthur Delaney 🇺🇸 (@ArthurDelaneyHP) February 19, 2025
Some enterprising Republican senators, such as Josh Hawley, have expressed that things seem a bit “baffling” with this debate over a budget that the House might not even consider. Graham seems undeterred, moving forward as if the House’s plan is just a minor hiccup in an otherwise carefully choreographed dance. The vote-a-rama will provide ample opportunity for political theater, where senators can engage in sparring matches of ideological messaging that will likely fall flat in the more chaotic confines of the House.
Vice President J.D. Vance made a cameo appearance at the Senate’s weekly lunch just hours after Trump took to social media to reaffirm his support for the House’s budget. Traders in social media drama should note that Vance didn’t push back against Trump’s sentiments. Instead, he pivoted to support a Senate version that serves as a safety net, reaffirming his status as a political utility player while everyone else plays checkers.
This budgetary turf war finds itself at a crossroads, as both chambers need to hammer out a budget resolution that keeps the reconciliation process alive. Trump’s ambitious House budget resolution aims to lump in a smorgasbord of Republican priorities, including the almighty tax cuts and there’s no denying that this is where the rubber meets the road. However, unlike their House counterparts who want to keep things simple, Senate Republicans have concocted a plan that breaks these priorities into two separate bills—fast-tracking national security measures while putting tax cuts under another umbrella. The bet here is that they can play both sides of the field without tripping over their feet.
Budgetary proposals are always a circus, but this particular one brings high stakes, especially when you consider the jaw-dropping $4.5 trillion cost ceiling looming over the Ways and Means Committee. Republicans are ready to dig into the math, knowing full well that if they want to extend the 2017 tax cuts or implement Trump’s new tax ideas, they will need to find a way to make their fiscal fantasies fit between the proverbial lines. It’s a complicated equation, and with Democrats ready to pounce on any perceived “cuts” to Medicaid, it’s clear that regardless of the final outcome, this budget battle is going to be one for the ages, as Republicans strive to keep Trump’s vision alive on the hill.
