It’s starting to look like the Senate has the inside track in the “horse race” between the chambers on budget reconciliation, as Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., puts it.
Republicans in that chamber expect to mark up their budget resolution as soon as next week, as the House GOP remains locked in an intraparty struggle over its version. The House’s difficulties have given Senate Republicans an opening to strike first with their their two-bill plan, which envisions a defense, immigration and energy package moving first followed by action on extending the 2017 tax cuts later.
Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday after briefing Republicans at lunch that he could mark up his budget resolution as soon as next week. It would set the table for about $300 billion in new spending, with roughly half for border security and half for defense, in a first reconciliation bill. It would be paid for with cuts to mandatory programs that authorizing committees would be charged with finding.
