As Republicans prepare for a hectic reconciliation process during Donald Trump’s first 100 days, there’s a growing debate in Congress: One bill or two?
Republicans in both chambers look at reconciliation as a way to circumvent the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and pass Republican policies on the border, the energy sector and taxes. And reconciliation looks like the easiest way to implement those legislative goals, rather than working with Democrats and watering down the GOP’s partisan priorities.
But less than two weeks before Trump’s inauguration, Republicans are having trouble deciding if it’s best to tackle their agenda in one package or two — and whether Trump’s stated preference of one bill is just a preference or a directive.