Cabot Phillips

So we'll be watching for that reported meeting between Trump and Zelensky on Friday. A lot going on between these two countries.

So we'll be watching for that reported meeting between Trump and Zelensky on Friday. A lot going on between these two countries.

Yeah, I know, John, a lot of people hear the words budget resolution and their eyes gloss over. It's certainly not the sexiest topic, but it is hugely consequential. For weeks now, Republicans have been putting together a massive spending resolution that will lay the framework for funding some of Trump's big ticket campaign promises. The heart of the plan contains three major focuses.

Yeah, I know, John, a lot of people hear the words budget resolution and their eyes gloss over. It's certainly not the sexiest topic, but it is hugely consequential. For weeks now, Republicans have been putting together a massive spending resolution that will lay the framework for funding some of Trump's big ticket campaign promises. The heart of the plan contains three major focuses.

First, it calls for four point five trillion dollars in tax cuts. including renewing President Trump's 2017 tax cuts and also paving the way to eliminate taxes on Social Security payments, tips, and overtime. Next, it includes a $300 billion increase in spending for defense and the southern border.

First, it calls for four point five trillion dollars in tax cuts. including renewing President Trump's 2017 tax cuts and also paving the way to eliminate taxes on Social Security payments, tips, and overtime. Next, it includes a $300 billion increase in spending for defense and the southern border.

Finally, in its current stage, the resolution calls for around $1.5 trillion in future cuts to the federal budget, though it's not yet clear exactly where those cuts would come from.

Finally, in its current stage, the resolution calls for around $1.5 trillion in future cuts to the federal budget, though it's not yet clear exactly where those cuts would come from.

Yeah, because Republicans hold such a small majority, they could only afford to lose a few votes to get this thing passed. That left Speaker Johnson scrambling to appease each wing of the GOP. The budget hawks want more cuts. The moderates support cuts, but want to protect Medicaid. The foreign policy hawks want cuts, just not for defense spending. You get the idea.

Yeah, because Republicans hold such a small majority, they could only afford to lose a few votes to get this thing passed. That left Speaker Johnson scrambling to appease each wing of the GOP. The budget hawks want more cuts. The moderates support cuts, but want to protect Medicaid. The foreign policy hawks want cuts, just not for defense spending. You get the idea.

Supporters of the resolution are basically saying, don't make perfect the enemy of good. This moves us in the right direction. I spoke with Brandon Arnold, executive director of the National Taxpayers Union. He's in that camp. Here's what he had to say.

Supporters of the resolution are basically saying, don't make perfect the enemy of good. This moves us in the right direction. I spoke with Brandon Arnold, executive director of the National Taxpayers Union. He's in that camp. Here's what he had to say.

Now, coming into Tuesday morning, it looked like everyone in the GOP caucus was finally getting on board. But a handful of hardline conservative members put their foot down, saying the plan was a good starting point, but did not offer enough guaranteed cuts.

Now, coming into Tuesday morning, it looked like everyone in the GOP caucus was finally getting on board. But a handful of hardline conservative members put their foot down, saying the plan was a good starting point, but did not offer enough guaranteed cuts.

Leading the charge was Kentucky Republican Thomas Massey, who said there weren't enough assurances that the resolution would actually cut spending.

Leading the charge was Kentucky Republican Thomas Massey, who said there weren't enough assurances that the resolution would actually cut spending.

In the end, though, Massey was the only Republican who voted no. All the other GOP members who were on the fence got on board and the measure was passed 217 to 215. It was a major victory for Speaker Mike Johnson and for Donald Trump. It's worth noting the president was on the phone all day calling Republicans on the fence, telling them to fall in line. That pressure campaign continued.

In the end, though, Massey was the only Republican who voted no. All the other GOP members who were on the fence got on board and the measure was passed 217 to 215. It was a major victory for Speaker Mike Johnson and for Donald Trump. It's worth noting the president was on the phone all day calling Republicans on the fence, telling them to fall in line. That pressure campaign continued.

obviously helped. Now that the resolution has passed the House, the Senate will also have to approve it with a simple majority vote. And again, that could be difficult. Here's Arnold explaining why.

obviously helped. Now that the resolution has passed the House, the Senate will also have to approve it with a simple majority vote. And again, that could be difficult. Here's Arnold explaining why.