President Donald Trump on Friday pressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to take up a $95 billion House-passed budget blueprint before the Senate leaves town for its August recess, escalating a public standoff a day after Thune said he does not have the votes to move the measure.
In a Truth Social post, Trump demanded the Senate "adopt a Budget Resolution, which can pass with a simple Majority" before the break, saying the White House was ready to work with the chamber to get it done.
The House voted 216-214 on Wednesday to adopt a fiscal 2027 budget framework, clearing the way for a third budget reconciliation package.
The measure directs the House Armed Services Committee to draft legislation increasing the deficit by up to $60 billion, the Intelligence Committee by $13 billion, the Agriculture Committee by $12 billion, and the House Administration Committee by $10 billion. The committees must submit their recommendations by Sept. 11.
The defense and intelligence provisions are intended to support U.S. military operations amid the war with Iran, while the House Administration Committee's instructions would advance provisions in the SAVE America Act.
Thune told reporters Thursday he did not have the votes, saying he could not "count to 50 right now on a budget resolution" and that funding the government remained his top priority.
He has said he wants to hold the House budget resolution in reserve as a backup if bipartisan talks on government funding break down before the Sept. 30 deadline.
On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's "patience is running out" with the Senate leader, drawing a rare rebuke from Thune.
"Instead of pointing the finger at Republicans, they might think about going after the people who are stopping it on the floor, which is the Democrats," Thune said. "And if there are Republicans that they think are gettable, get on the phone."
Senate Republicans also remain divided over the package. Fiscal conservatives want the $95 billion in spending offset elsewhere in the budget, while some defense advocates and lawmakers from farm states want more funding.
Any provisions of the SAVE America Act included in the reconciliation package would be subject to Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough's review under Senate reconciliation rules. Thune has said any provisions included must withstand that review.
Even if the Senate approves the House measure, it would have to add its own committee instructions, requiring the House to vote again this fall before Republicans could formally begin the reconciliation process.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.