Republican House Struggles to Unite Under Speaker Mike Johnson’s MAGA Budget Vision

In the House of Representatives, Republican figures are gradually laying the groundwork for a federal budget aligned with MAGA principles. While Speaker Mike Johnson is aiming to present a comprehensive, all-in-one funding bill, he faces pressure from Senate Republicans and a faction within his own party who favor a more segmented approach, particularly when it comes to resolving issues like tax cuts.

The timeline for the budget’s progress remains tight. Speakers and committee chairs have arranged a markup session for the upcoming Thursday, and Johnson has indicated that the House will have a brief break next week to allow members to review and debate the bill’s amendments ahead of a looming deadline when the current funding measure expires.

A significant point of contention is the difference in opinion between the Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee regarding the cost of extending the 2017 tax cuts. This internal disagreement reflects the larger split within the GOP over whether to adopt a one-bill strategy, which bundles various priorities together, or to pursue a two-bill approach that separates tax issues from other funding matters.

Meanwhile, the political stakes are high. As the House leadership pushes to unify their caucus with one comprehensive legislation, they are also challenging Democrats to act, banking on past delays from the opposition to negotiate an extension of the funding deadline. Speaker Johnson’s strategy is bolstered by his strong connection to Donald Trump, whose influence remains a key factor in rallying skepticism toward alternative proposals.