Congress

Senate Republicans Consider Leapfrogging the House on Reconciliation

“We don’t want to keep losing valuable time,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a member of GOP leadership. “It’s been a couple weeks. I think some of us are getting anxious to keep moving forward.”

John Thune

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., talks after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill. Mariam Zuhaib/AP

By Ursula Perano and Ben T.N. Mause

February 6, 2025 08:09 PM

It’s a tale as old as the Senate itself.

Republicans in the upper chamber are getting annoyed by the antics of their House colleagues, as lawmakers struggle to reach consensus on budget numbers, tax rates, even the number of bills it will take to enact Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.

But with Republicans waiting on the House to sort through its issues and adopt a budget, GOP senators are weighing an unusual move: going first.