Republicans are racing to assemble a third party-line package ahead of a month-long August recess, a high-stakes push that would give the GOP one final opportunity to cement major pieces of President Trump’s legislative agenda before the midterms could reshape control of Congress.
But getting such a bill across the finish line would be a daunting task for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), especially as the election season ramps up. Some conservatives are already pushing for an ambitious bill packed with defense spending, funding for the Iran military conflict, health care reform and other GOP priorities, while others running in battleground districts are wary of backing another sweeping partisan measure that could risk alienating swing voters. And with Republicans holding onto a slim House majority, only two GOP defections are enough to derail the effort altogether. Read more