Trump needs unity among Republicans to pass his budget bill. Can he get it?

(NPR) Congress returns to D.C. with plans to begin the detailed process of turning President Trump's domestic policy agenda into a multi-trillion dollar policy bill that is expected to touch everything from tax cuts and Pentagon funding increases to expanded border security spending — along with corresponding cuts to help balance the cost.

Republicans may control both the House and the Senate but they are already fighting an uphill battle to find consensus on major elements of the plan. Intra-party factions remain at odds with the fundamental budget framework that directs committees to start their work. The House barely approved that bill before a two-week holiday recess and they plan to begin the next steps this week.

Republicans are using a budget tool called reconciliation, a process that enables Congress to bypass the 60-vote threshold normally required to advance a bill in the Senate. At this stage, committees are working to meet the instructions set out for them to change revenue, deficits, spending, or the debt limit by specific amounts. Eventually, the budget committee will assemble all the drafted legislation from committees into one large legislative package that both chambers will vote on.

But getting to that point is going to be a thorny endeavor that will test the GOP's ability to overcome internal divide under tight margins in both chambers.

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/28/g-s1-62678/trump-needs-unity-among-republicans-to-pass-his-budget-bill-can-he-get-it