Mike Johnson’s reconciliation plan is at risk of collapse

By Meredith Lee Hill, Jordain Carney | 02/05/2025 06:17 AM EST

The Senate is itching to move as the speaker struggles to unify House Republicans.

Mike Johnson looks on.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wanted a budget resolution to pass committee this week. It's not looking likely.  Francis Chung/POLITICO

After weeks of promising “one big, beautiful bill,” House Republican leaders are at serious risk of being outmaneuvered by an unlikely GOP alliance as Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to sell his approach to enacting President Donald Trump’s sprawling domestic agenda.

Already a rebellion among conservative hard-liners has forced the speaker to scrap his ambitious timeline for advancing the border, energy and tax bill. Senators, meanwhile, are getting antsy about inaction in the House and are working with Freedom Caucus members on an end-run around Johnson’s (R-La.) strategy.

“They are trying to jam us,” said one House GOP lawmaker involved in the ongoing talks, referring to the unusual partnership.

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The interchamber rivalry over how to pass a budget blueprint is just the latest complication for Republicans as they try to make good on Trump’s campaign agenda.

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