As the reconciliation process enters its first big test — a committee markup in the House on Thursday — the White House is already working the phones.
On Wednesday, Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington released legislative language for the House budget, which will serve as the vehicle for a reconciliation bill: $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, a minimum of $1.5 trillion in spending cuts and an increase to the debt ceiling of $4 trillion.
After weeks of internal strife, the budget resolution was a bit of a surprise. Many Republicans thought the House would need at least next week’s recess to get lawmakers in line and sort out the remaining issues. But Arrington announced on Tuesday that — surprise! — his panel was moving ahead this week, leaving Republicans with just hours to finish their blueprint.