GOP lawmakers are working overtime to get their priorities passed, and since they only have razor-thin majorities and face rebels within their own party, they’re forced to turn to “reconciliation,” the expedited budget process created by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
The tactic bypasses many of the procedural hurdles that often slow law-making to a crawl. Reconciliation bills cannot be filibustered and require only a simple majority to pass, so with a deadlocked Congress, they’ve become a go-to tool for Republicans to get things done.
And so it is on Tuesday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-4) and his allies are engaging in major horse-trading and wheeling and dealing to get GOP holdouts on board and overcome almost virtual Democrat opposition to their goals:
Speaker Mike Johnson and White House budget chief Russ Vought tried to rally House Republicans on Tuesday morning around passing a party-line package containing the administration’s $95 billion supplemental funding request for the Iran war and farm aid — by promising members they’d get another chance to pass a more sweeping partisan policy bill after the midterms.
A group of GOP holdouts, however, has yet to fully fall in line ahead of a critical vote Wednesday on a budget resolution that would pave the way for a filibuster-skirting reconciliation bill containing the war and agriculture funding, plus $10 billion for grants to states to encourage voter ID and citizenship requirements in order to participate in elections.
NEW — Inside the closed-door House GOP meeting, Speaker Mike Johnson and OMB chief Russ Vought both tried to rally Rs around the $95B Iran war and ag package — by promising a fourth reconciliation bill after the midterms, per sources
— Meredith Lee Hill (@meredithllee) July 21, 2026
But there are still problems on the budget…
NEW — Inside the closed-door House GOP meeting, Speaker Mike Johnson and OMB chief Russ Vought both tried to rally Rs around the $95B Iran war and ag package — by promising a fourth reconciliation bill after the midterms, per sources
But there are still problems on the budget framework vote.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said the pitch “wasn't that compelling.”
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) told us last night he plans to oppose the resolution and is not at all moved by the argument for a fourth reconciliation bill.
Rs are falling in line for the rule vote today - even as GOP leaders scramble to flip Burchett and a few holdouts.
Keith Self (R-Texas) told us he will vote for the rule, and others said the same. Chip Roy declined to say anything.
GOP leaders have virtually no room for error on the rule with @RepThomasMassie opposed.
w/ @Reporter_Mia @JAscholtes
President Trump is scheduled to meet with GOP House members at 5 PM today at the White House, and will presumably be twisting arms. One of his main goals: getting some provisions from the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to vote, into the bill. The SAVE Act has stalled in the Senate as lawmakers are unwilling or unable to kill the filibuster.
MORE: Lindsey Graham’s Final Words Now Fueling New SAVE America Act Push
Proof of Citizenship, Voter ID Now Closer to Passage in Reconciliation 3.0
There’s enough back and forth to make your head spin:
In the House Republican Conference meeting this morning, JOHNSON and EMMER both said that voting for the budget resolution is merely a first step — it unlocks the reconciliation process.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 21, 2026
SCALISE said Rs need to govern so they can be in the “drivers seat” in November.
Things are changing quickly, and RedState will keep you updated. Sausage making may not be pretty, but Johnson and the GOP need to master the process if we’re going to see what voters supported actually become law.
Editor’s Note: Republicans are fighting for election integrity by requiring proper identification to vote.
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