US Senate Passes Budget Plan Without Trump’s Support

WASHINGTON, Feb 21, 2025 (AFP) – The US Senate passed a budget blueprint early Friday, overcoming Democratic opposition and moving closer to securing funds for border security and other Republican priorities. However, the plan lacks former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, as it does not include the tax cuts he wants to extend.

A Narrowly Approved Framework

The slimmed-down budget resolution was passed after a marathon "vote-a-rama" session, during which Democrats introduced multiple amendments. Despite the opposition, the measure was adopted by a simple majority—a process that allows passage with only 51 votes instead of the usual 60. Republicans currently control 53 Senate seats, giving them just enough votes to push it through.

The House of Representatives now faces mounting pressure. While Republican leaders in the House prefer a more comprehensive budget bill, which Trump has called “one big beautiful bill”, they may have to accept the Senate’s narrower version if they fail to reach a consensus quickly.

Trump’s Push for a Larger Budget Package

Senate Republicans are prioritizing a leaner budget to deliver early victories on border security and migration policies, key issues on Trump’s agenda. However, their version delays action on extending tax cuts—a move that has frustrated Trump.

Trump’s original tax cuts, introduced during his first term, are set to expire at the end of the year. While House Republicans favor extending them immediately, the Senate’s plan pushes the decision several months down the road.

Potential Risks in the House

The House Republican leadership prefers a larger package that includes tax credits and other flagship initiatives. However, this approach carries significant political risks.

• Hardline conservatives may demand spending cuts in major federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid to offset the cost of extending Trump’s tax cuts.
• Reducing these programs could prove highly unpopular, potentially jeopardizing Republican unity in the House, where they hold only a narrow majority.

A failure to pass the budget could lead to internal party divisions and uncertainty over federal spending priorities.

Trump’s Reaction

Trump thanked Senate Republicans on Truth Social for supporting his border security funding but reiterated his preference for the larger House budget plan.

“We need both Chambers to pass the House Budget to 'kickstart' the Reconciliation process and move all of our priorities to the concept of, 'ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL,’” Trump wrote in a post on Wednesday.

With both chambers at odds over the budget approach, negotiations in the coming weeks will determine whether Republicans rally behind the Senate’s leaner plan or push forward with Trump’s broader vision.