Trump Endorses Single Comprehensive Bill for Taxes, Border, and Energy Agenda

On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump announced his support for a single comprehensive bill that would combine his policy priorities on a variety of issues, including tax policy, border security, and energy policy.

According to Politico, the incoming president’s announcement on Truth Social followed Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) successful reelection bid on Friday, which was attributed in large part to Trump’s endorsement. Johnson had faced some conservative opposition due to his support for a continuing resolution (CR) spending bill that avoided a government shutdown. On Friday, three Republicans initially voted against Johnson on the first ballot, before two switched their votes shortly after, securing him the speakership with only a single dissenter.

“Members of Congress are getting to work on one powerful Bill that will bring our Country back, and make it greater than ever before. We must Secure our Border, Unleash American Energy, and Renew the Trump Tax Cuts,” said the president-elect. “Republicans must unite, and quickly deliver these Historic Victories for the American People. Get smart, tough, and send the Bill to my desk to sign as soon as possible.”

In an interview on Sunday, Johnson said that he supports a budget resolution that includes energy, border, and tax policy, and would want the legislation introduced in February, with the goal being to pass it in April.

However, some Republicans have endorsed a two-bill strategy, with one bill focusing solely on tax policy and another combining the border and energy issues. The new Senate Majority Leader, John Thune (R-S.D.), is one such Republican, as is incoming Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

“I’m very worried. I’m very worried that if we don’t put border first and get it done, it’s going to be a nightmare for our national security,” said Graham in an interview on Sunday.

President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will be sworn back into office on January 20th, once again with a Republican majority in both houses of Congress. However, the majority is narrow: Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate and 220 seats in the House of Representatives, with the latter being just two seats above the minimum threshold for a majority. There is great pressure for the Republican Congress to act on the President’s agenda within the first 100 days, which is often when a new president has the most political capital.