Senate Passes 'Plan B' Budget as House Budget Vote Remains Uncertain
Washington Update
Appropriations
On Friday, February 21, Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution in a 52-48 vote, increasing military spending by $150 billion and providing $175 billion for border security over the next decade — marking the first step toward enacting President Trump’s domestic agenda. The resolution defers key decisions on tax cuts and broader spending reductions, prioritizing immediate funding for Trump’s border enforcement initiatives. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (SC) stated the plan would be funded through domestic drilling revenue and unspecified spending cuts, directing four Senate committees to identify at least $1 billion in cuts each over four years. Despite Trump’s endorsement of the House’s more comprehensive approach, Senate Republicans are advancing their plan as a backup if the House effort stalls.
Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to identify $2 trillion in spending cuts to fund Trump’s fiscal agenda. Their plan, which House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) plans to move through the House Rules Committee today and bring to a floor vote tomorrow, includes extensive tax cuts and policy changes while calling for deep reductions in government programs, notably Medicaid. While the Rules Committee's conservative hard-liners, Congressman Chip Roy (TX) and Ralph Norman (SC), support Johnson's framework, the floor vote remains a challenge in the closely divided House, where Republicans hold a razor-thin margin. Johnson can likely afford to lose only one or two Republicans to advance the measure, depending on Democratic attendance. Congressman Thomas Massie (KY) has privately indicated he plans to vote against it, while several politically vulnerable members remain undecided. Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (KY) and GOP leaders are meeting with these members to secure support, as the plan requires $880 billion in cuts that are expected to come largely from Medicaid.
House Republicans returning from their districts last week encountered backlash from constituents over President Trump and Elon Musk’s controversial push to downsize the federal workforce and impose steep spending cuts, further complicating Johnson's efforts.
Both chambers must reconcile their approaches to pass a unified budget and advance Trump’s broader fiscal agenda before the looming March 14 deadline. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (ME) warned that time is running out to strike a deal, suggesting a stopgap funding measure may be necessary to avoid a government shutdown. Democratic appropriators, led by Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (WA) and House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT), are demanding assurances that the administration will follow any spending bill passed by Congress. Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) echoed these concerns, emphasizing that compliance is crucial to securing a funding agreement. Additionally, on Wednesday, February 12, the House passed the Midnight Rules Relief Act, which allows lawmakers to overturn federal rules from a president’s final year with a single resolution. The bill passed 212-208 and now awaits Senate consideration, dependent on the budget deal and other priorities.
Lawmakers have less than three weeks to reach a government funding deal before the March 14 deadline and, despite last week’s Senate vote, final agreement is still far off and failure to reach a compromise could trigger a government shutdown.
House Education and Workforce Committee Hearing
On Wednesday, February 26, at 10:15 a.m. ET the House Education and Workforce Committee will hold the hearing “Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy.” Hearing witnesses include President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Rosanna Maietta; Senior Fellow in Economics at the Economic Policy Innovation Center William Beach; President of the Economic Policy Institute Dr. Heidi Shierholz; and Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Legal Center Elizabeth Milito.
Click here to access the hearing.
Department of Labor Secretary
Former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) faced pressure from both sides as senators questioned her pro-union stance and willingness to oppose President Trump’s federal reforms during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, February 19. Chavez-DeRemer distanced herself from the most controversial provisions of the PRO Act, which she co-sponsored while in Congress, and reiterated her commitment to implementing Trump’s labor agenda if confirmed. Senator Rand Paul (KY) remains opposed to her nomination due to her past support of the PRO Act. Democrats pressed Chavez-DeRemer about opposing Elon Musk’s push to access sensitive DOL data but received vague assurances. She claimed unfamiliarity with the issue and insisted Trump would not ask her to break the law. Chavez-DeRemer expressed support for the independence of agencies like the NLRB but avoided direct legal questions, deferring to court rulings.
To advance, Chavez-DeRemer needs Democratic support, but some Democrats — frustrated by Trump’s actions on federal workers and funding — remain hesitant to support her. Key labor regulations, including workplace safety standards, were not addressed during the hearing.
Department of Education Secretary
On Thursday, February 20, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12-11 along party lines to advance Linda McMahon’s nomination for U.S. Department of Education Secretary. During her hearing, McMahon emphasized that Congress would remain involved in decisions about the department’s future and continue to appropriate funding for its programs. Dominating the discussion were concerns about the future of the agency, as President Trump has been vocal in his desire and plan to eliminate the department. Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (VT) argued that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure quality education for all children and opposed abolishing the department, while acknowledging the need for reform. In contrast, Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) criticized the department’s effectiveness, citing the nation’s lagging academic performance and supporting Trump’s push for significant changes.
On Wednesday, February 19, eighty-six civil rights and education groups penned an open letter to senators urging them to oppose McMahon’s confirmation. The letter argues that President Trump’s string of executive orders directed at the Department of Education and the Department Of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE’s) actions at the agency have worked to “eviscerate equal opportunity in education.” In early January, nearly every Republican government signed a letter of support for McMahon and President Trump’s promises to “return education to the states.” Parents’ rights groups and school choice advocates, among others, have backed McMahon. Cassidy entered 55 letters of support for McMahon into the record.
Click here to access the letter of opposition to McMahon.
Click here to access the Republican governors’ letter of support for McMahon.
Senate HELP Subcommittees
On Wednesday, February 12, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (LA) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (VT) announced the member subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress. Leading the Subcommittee on “Education and the American Family,” which was formerly “Children and Families,” is Senator Tommy Tuberville (AL) as chair and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) as ranking member. The Subcommittee “Employment and Workplace Safety” will be chaired by Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) with Senator John Hickenlooper (CO) serving as ranking member. Senator Roger Marshall (KS) will chair the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security while Senator Ed Markey (MA) will be ranking member.
Click here to see a full list of subcommittee members.
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