House Heads Home For Rest Of Week After Vote Fallout
House Republican leaders sent members home for the week after all scheduled floor activities had to be scrapped due to a failed procedural vote on Tuesday afternoon.
Nine Republicans joined Democrats in blocking the vote when GOP leaders attempted to introduce language that would have prevented Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) from advancing her proposal allowing new parents to vote by proxy, as noted by Politico.
Among the legislation under consideration were bills aimed at tightening voter registration rules for non-citizens and restricting judges from issuing nationwide injunctions. Both measures align closely with President Donald Trump’s priorities.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are preparing to meet with Trump this week to deliberate on several pressing issues.
On Wednesday, Republicans from the Senate Budget Committee, along with Majority Leader John Thune, are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump.
During this meeting, senators plan to advance discussions on crafting the “one big, beautiful bill” that would fulfill Trump’s domestic policy goals, including tax cuts, enhanced border security, and expanded energy production within the U.S.
Speaking briefly on Tuesday night, Thune indicated that the upcoming discussion would focus “principally” on budget reconciliation, a mechanism that allows the majority party to pass legislation along party lines without being hindered by the Senate’s filibuster rules.
However, the South Dakota senator also suggested that the conversation with Trump could extend to broader fiscal concerns, such as potential strategies for deficit reduction through reconciliation or other legislative means.
During the meeting, Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee will have the opportunity to convey their commitment to “try to do as much deficit reduction as possible through as many means and ways of getting it as possible.”
Additionally, the meeting could serve as an occasion for Thune and Trump to present their most persuasive arguments to the staunchest fiscal conservatives on Capitol Hill in hopes of securing their backing for the budget plan.
Senate GOP leaders are pushing to release the text of the new budget proposal to the public by Wednesday. The proposal must be approved by both chambers of Congress before the reconciliation process can formally commence. A floor vote on adoption is expected by the end of the week.
Leadership consensus suggests that the minimum required deficit reduction could be in the range of a few billion dollars, but expectations are set for a significantly higher target within the reconciliation bill. A “spiritual” objective of $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion is also being discussed.
Conversely, some Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee are advocating for a minimum deficit reduction target as high as $6.5 trillion. A key aspect of their argument will emphasize that reconciliation is merely one component of the broader cost-cutting strategy.
Senators are also being reminded by their leadership about ongoing meetings with administration officials to begin assembling a “rescissions package.”
This package would outline spending cuts that the White House could propose to Congress for formal approval.
Additionally, House and Senate Republicans are considering whether to formalize the spending freezes overseen by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency during the fiscal 2026 appropriations process.
Senate Republicans reaffirmed on Tuesday their commitment to passing a budget plan this week and advancing President Trump’s domestic agenda. However, behind the scenes, they continue working meticulously to secure the necessary votes.
These confidence projections followed a private meeting where GOP senators addressed lingering policy disputes. A primary issue of discussion was the extent of federal spending cuts, as fiscal hawks remain dissatisfied with leadership’s intention to include only limited deficit-reduction measures within the budget framework.
“We just keep having the same conversation,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) remarked as he left the meeting. “But I do think, you know, there are at least 50 people willing to move forward on this portion of it.”