House Speaker Johnson Pushes Budget Vote Despite Internal Resistance

House Speaker Mike Johnson has reaffirmed his intention to advance the budget resolution bill, which was passed by the Senate, for a vote this week. This decision comes after a meeting at the White House with Donald Trump and Republican members of the House. Despite not yet securing the necessary support from his party, Johnson remains resolute in his plan to proceed with the vote.

The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, was described as successful by Johnson. He highlighted that the was very helpful and engaged, addressing many of the concerns raised by the Republican members. When asked if Trump's involvement had changed any minds, Johnson responded affirmatively, stating that he believed it had. He also indicated that the vote is expected to take place this week.

According to sources familiar with the planning, the House Rules Committee has been informed that a meeting could be convened as early as tomorrow morning at 7 AM Eastern Time to prepare for the budget resolution bill. Johnson emphasized the importance of unity and trust between the two chambers of Congress, noting that the support from the White House and the leadership of Senator John Thune is crucial for moving forward with the budget resolution.

As of now, Republican leaders in the House are still dealing with at least a dozen firm "no" votes and several undecided members. Senator John Thune, the majority leader, acknowledged the differences in approach between the House and Senate Republicans. He noted that while the House Republicans are pushing for further spending cuts, the ultimate goal is to initiate the budget reconciliation process and unlock the legislative agenda that both chambers need to pass.

Johnson's push for the budget resolution vote underscores the critical nature of this legislation for the government's financial planning and operations. The outcome of this vote will have significant implications for the legislative agenda and the overall economic policy of the nation. The success of this vote will depend on the ability of Republican leaders to garner the necessary support and address the concerns of their members.