House Republicans are pushing for a second megabill, while Senate GOP remains skeptical about its feasibility. The White House has yet to articulate its vision for a second or third reconciliation package. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) expressed openness to considering up to 200 tax proposals not included in the first megabill, but most senators question the feasibility and necessity of another reconciliation package without a clear purpose or pressure.
Senate leaders, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), have cast doubt on whether it’s politically possible to do this all over again without a unifying purpose. The first reconciliation package was driven by a desire to deliver President Donald Trump a major legislative victory early in his second term and prevent a tax hike that they feared would weaken the economy. The inclusion of a debt limit extension through 2026 added a do-or-die incentive, but without similar pressure, some senators are uncertain about the viability of a second bill.
“You have to have a reason to do it,” said Sen. Rounds, emphasizing the need for a clear purpose to justify another major legislative effort. One Republican senator, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that without an existential impetus, the likelihood of passing another reconciliation bill remains low. This sentiment was echoed by others who expressed skepticism about the administration’s enthusiasm for another package, as administration officials have not yet provided guidance on what policies they want included in the next bill.
Chairs of major Senate committees, including Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have also reported not receiving clarity from the White House on its legislative priorities. Meanwhile, some Senate leaders, such as Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), have expressed concerns about the potential for further gridlock, noting that reconciliation packages require 60 votes, which is a higher threshold than the House’s 51-vote requirement.
While House Republicans are eager to push for another reconciliation bill, internal divisions within the party have already made the process complicated. Conservatives and centrists clashed over cuts to Medicaid and clean energy tax credits in the first megabill, and some lawmakers are wary of further battles over contentious issues, especially as the election season approaches. The Economic Policy Innovation Center, a hard-line think tank, has already proposed controversial measures, such as an extended moratorium on Medicaid funding for large abortion providers, raising concerns about the direction of future legislation.
At the same time, Republicans are already facing challenges in selling the first megabill to voters in their home states. Town halls and constituent events have seen mixed reactions, with some lawmakers expressing hesitancy about engaging in another reconciliation effort. One House Republican, granted anonymity, noted that the initial bill was already a significant legislative undertaking, and another one would be even more difficult to justify.
As the summer recess continues, the question remains: will Senate Republicans ultimately support a second reconciliation package? While some leaders have left the door open, the lack of a clear purpose and political pressure suggests that the path to another major bill will be anything but straightforward.