Vice President JD Vance addressed House Republicans on Tuesday during their annual issues conference in South Florida, focusing on the budget reconciliation process and potential conservative policy changes. The conference, held at former President Trump's Doral golf resort, underscores Trump's continued influence within the GOP.
While the specifics of Vance's address remain undisclosed, the discussion centered on how Republicans can leverage their slim congressional majorities to enact significant policy shifts through reconciliation. This process allows for passing legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the usual 60-vote requirement.
Internal debate continues within the GOP regarding the best approach. Senate Republicans prefer splitting the legislative package into two bills, prioritizing border security and energy policy initially, followed by tax reform. House Republicans, however, worry about time constraints, particularly concerning the extension of the 2017 tax cuts set to expire at year's end.
Vance's stance on this issue remains unclear. Former President Trump, who initially advocated for a single comprehensive bill, expressed flexibility during his Monday address to House Republicans, stating his indifference to the number of bills used. House Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass a reconciliation bill by early spring.
