President Donald Trump has called on Congress to increase military funding and pass stalled legislation regarding voter ID and citizenship verification. He proposed a budget reconciliation package that includes $350 billion for defense spending and the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. Trump described this as a significant investment in military capabilities, claiming it surpasses previous efforts under President Reagan.
Despite Trump's push, many Republicans have expressed reservations about restarting the budget reconciliation process, which would require party unity as the midterm elections approach. Some GOP lawmakers have raised concerns about bypassing the standard appropriations process for defense spending. Trump's request follows the recent passage of a second budget reconciliation bill aimed at funding immigration enforcement.
Senator John Kennedy indicated that the likelihood of passing additional legislation before the midterms is low, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged skepticism among Republicans regarding another reconciliation bill. Additionally, Senators Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell have stated that another reconciliation effort is unlikely, particularly for defense spending. Discussions on a third reconciliation package are ongoing in the House, but some lawmakers question its feasibility given the current political climate.