Chicago – February 25, 2025
Republican leaders in Congress are urging party members to support a budget plan that would help move forward President Donald Trump’s tax cuts and border security plans. A vote is expected Tuesday evening.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise said they are making progress in convincing hesitant Republicans. Trump himself has been calling lawmakers, pushing for support on the $4.5 trillion plan, which includes tax cuts, funding for migrant deportations, border security, energy deregulation, and military spending.
“It’s a very complicated negotiation,” Johnson said. “A lot of numbers, a lot of different opinions, but we will get there.”
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was unaware of any direct calls from Trump but insisted that Congress understands his expectations.
Concerns over party unity led Senate Republicans to introduce a backup budget plan last week. Their $340 billion proposal covers border security, defense, and energy but delays decisions on taxes.
The House budget includes $2 trillion in spending cuts over ten years to fund Trump’s priorities. Some conservative members want even deeper cuts, with support from billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is targeting government programs.
