Picture this: a room filled with Senate Republicans, all hoping for one thing—a clear game plan from President-elect Donald Trump on his legislative priorities. But when they walked out of their two-hour meeting, clarity was nowhere in sight.
Instead of a definitive strategy, Trump left his fellow Republicans guessing. Speaking to reporters, he shrugged off the debate, saying, “Whether it’s one bill or two bills, it’s going to get done one way or the other. The end result is the same.”
Behind closed doors, however, Trump shared a preference for “one big, beautiful bill.” But he also signaled he was open to anything that could pass. According to one GOP senator, Trump wasn’t about to dive into the nitty-gritty of legislative tactics.
This reluctance to settle the “one bill versus two bills” debate is just the latest example of Trump’s hands-off approach to legislative squabbles—even when they threaten his broader agenda.
The Big Question: One Bill or Two?
Here’s the deal: House and Senate Republicans are split on how to bundle Trump’s major policy goals—tax reform, border security, and energy initiatives. Both sides want to use a special budget process to bypass potential Democratic roadblocks. But they’re stuck on how to package it.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Plan: A single, sweeping bill.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s Idea: Break it into two smaller bills.
“We’re open to a two-bill strategy,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the Senate’s No. 4 Republican leader. Thune even asked Trump directly if he’d go with two bills if the one-bill plan got bogged down. Trump, true to form, left the door open.
The Stakes Are High
Time is ticking. Both the House and Senate need to agree on a game plan—and fast. The clock starts with the budget measure, which lays the groundwork for passing these priorities.
Johnson is optimistic about reaching a decision by Thursday, but some senators, like John Cornyn (R-Texas), noted that no consensus had been reached. Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Trump leans toward one bill but is flexible.
More Than Just Bills
The meeting wasn’t all about packaging strategies. Senators also tackled big questions about how to pay for everything—tax cuts, border security, and more.
Trump floated the idea of “big, beautiful tariffs” to cover costs. Not everyone was on board. “I don’t think tariffs are a good idea,” Paul said. “International trade has made the world more prosperous.”
A Preview of Challenges Ahead
The struggle to unite Republicans around a strategy is just the beginning. With a slim GOP majority, leaders will need every vote to push through their ambitious agenda. And Trump’s preference for flexibility over decisiveness might add to the challenge.
Still, some see Trump’s early involvement as a stabilizing force. “Even if pivots are made along the way, he’s pretty good at bringing people along,” said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
What’s Next?
The goal is to have a budget blueprint ready by February, paving the way for the reconciliation package. Johnson aims to get a final bill on Trump’s desk by April—though it might slip into May.
While one big bill might streamline the process, it also risks delaying Trump’s first major legislative victory. On the other hand, splitting it into two could make it easier to pass each piece, but at the cost of time and momentum.