Congress

Republicans Funded the Government. What’s Next Is Trickier.

With Congress back, so are Republican hopes for their reconciliation package. “Probably what we will do is talk each other to death, stare at each other and then eventually confuse the issue so much that it takes two months to unravel,” Sen. Rand Paul said.

Thune speaks during a news conference following the weekly GOP caucus luncheon.

Annabelle Gordon/Sipa USA via AP

By Ursula Perano

March 24, 2025 05:05 AM

Congress is back in session — and Republicans are hoping for some movement on their marquee reconciliation bill.

“I would think within a week or two,” Sen. Rand Paul forecasted last week on the Senate’s timeline for picking up and amending the House-passed budget resolution, which would unlock the reconciliation process. “It won’t be completed. The process is going to be ongoing.”

Reconciliation had largely fallen on the backburner before both the Senate and House left for a one-week recess, which was the Senate’s first all year. Government funding and the March 14 shutdown deadline consumed Congress’ final week together, with Senate Democrats squabbling over whether to support the bill.