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Trump’s 2025 Agenda Derailed?

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This is not a good sign.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, Republican senators are expressing growing concern over the challenges posed by the narrow GOP majority in the House of Representatives. Many believe this thin margin of control, combined with delays in passing crucial spending bills, could create chaos and derail Trump’s legislative agenda in the early months of his presidency. With only a slim majority in the House and a tight Senate majority, Republicans are anxious about the gridlock that could emerge if the annual appropriations bills aren’t completed before Trump’s inauguration.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has signaled a preference for pushing the government funding deadlines into March 2025. However, this plan is meeting resistance from Senate Republicans, who argue that the delay could cripple Trump’s efforts to secure key priorities like border security and energy independence. Senators like Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) have criticized the strategy, warning that it could lead to unnecessary infighting over spending cuts and waste precious time that could be better spent on advancing Trump’s policy agenda. Cramer also raised concerns that key House conservatives, such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), could use the continuing resolution (CR) as leverage to extract concessions, further complicating the process.

Senate Republicans are particularly wary of the potential dysfunction in the House. With only a handful of seats separating the two parties in the lower chamber, even one or two dissenting members could bring legislative work to a standstill. This scenario would not only delay Trump’s Cabinet appointments but also hinder critical budgetary reforms and border security initiatives.

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To avoid this, some Senate leaders, including incoming Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), are pushing for a short-term funding bill that would last only until mid-January. The hope is that this would allow the Senate and House to clear the decks of spending bills before Trump takes office, minimizing distractions during his first 100 days. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) supports this approach, arguing that it would give the new administration a fresh start without the burden of unresolved spending conflicts.

However, Speaker Johnson and House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) remain committed to the March timeline, believing that this is the most viable path forward. Despite this, many Senate Republicans argue that moving quickly on government funding is in the best interest of both Trump and the country, allowing the GOP to focus on key priorities such as border security and energy reform.

With Republicans facing the reality of a divided Congress, Senate leaders like Thune are focused on ensuring that Trump’s most popular proposals—such as expanding border security and cutting regulations—are prioritized early in the next term. By working with the Trump transition team, Thune aims to push through a budget reconciliation package that includes these key priorities, which are likely to receive broad support among Republicans.

While there’s still disagreement over the timing of government funding, one thing is clear: the GOP’s ability to govern effectively will depend on unity and discipline. With a tenuous hold on the House, Senate Republicans are looking to ensure that Trump’s agenda moves forward without unnecessary delays or distractions.