Trump and Johnson strategize as budget reconciliation reaches ‘game time’
House Speaker Mike Johnson recently had a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to discuss the GOP’s political strategy as they navigate through a critical period of legislative business with their congressional majorities at stake.
As Congress reconvenes after a two-week recess and the president approaches his 100th day in office, Republicans are aiming to realign federal spending to mirror the president’s domestic agenda. Following his meeting with President Trump, Johnson returned to the Capitol to confer with top administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and leading congressional Republicans to tackle budget reconciliation.
“We’re working on the big, beautiful bill, the reconciliation bill,” Johnson informed reporters. “Now is game time as the significant developments will be coming together. We’re excited about that. I think it’s going to be a great piece of legislation.”
Flanked by White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and James Blair, assistant to the president, Bessent expressed his satisfaction with the level of unity among congressional Republican leaders. He mentioned that the House and Senate are swiftly moving in sync on a budget bill that focuses on Trump’s priorities.
The meeting also included Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. Bessent highlighted that the economic agenda consists of three key components: trade, tax, and deregulation, with a goal to finalize the tax portion of the budget package by July 4.
Hassett reiterated Trump’s stance on excluding a cut for billionaires, while Bessent outlined priorities for the package, including making tax cuts and the Jobs Act permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security, as well as providing deductibility for loans for American-made cars.
Republicans have initiated the release of legislative text to implement their ambitious plan to reduce federal spending by at least $2 trillion over the next decade. With six markups scheduled for the week and additional hearings in the pipeline, conservatives are facing a crucial test of their slim majority.
Despite public opinion turning against President Trump as he nears his 100th day in office, Johnson remains confident in the GOP’s ability to defend their narrow majority, stating that Republicans are “playing offense.” He highlighted the upcoming midterm elections and expressed optimism in targeting districts won by President Trump and minimizing risks in districts won by Kamala Harris.
Acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties of the early stages of the administration, Johnson emphasized the importance of remaining focused on the long game. He reassured that despite some market fluctuations and policy concerns, people are in good spirits and understand the resilience required in navigating through turbulent times.
As ABC News’ Isabella Murray contributed to this report, the discussions and strategies outlined in the meeting indicate a concerted effort by Republicans to align their legislative agenda with the president’s priorities while navigating through a complex political landscape.
