Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he would keep the Senate in Washington, D.C., until it passes Congress’s reconciliation bill.
Thune and Senate Republicans are working toward a self-imposed July 4 deadline to pass President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.” The Senate is scheduled to be in recess that week, but Thune said he would axe that schedule if needed.
“Senators return to Washington today and we will remain here until this reconciliation bill is passed,” Thune said in an op-ed, adding, “I am confident we will get this bill across the finish line.”
Different factions within the Senate have pushed back on certain parts of the bill, which the House passed earlier this year. Thune is working to rein in fiscal hawks who are concerned that the legislation would drastically increase the national debt and centrists who are not pleased about changes to Medicaid.
HOW THE SENATE GOP TAX PLAN DIFFERS FROM THE HOUSE BILL
Senate Republicans can lose only three votes to pass the megabill so long as Senate Democrats remain united in their opposition. If it passes in the Senate, the legislation would have to be reconciled with the House version and approved in both chambers before it is sent to Trump’s desk to become law.
The House will be in recess the week of July 4 and will not take up the bill until it passes the Senate.