House Freedom Caucus Proposes $200 Billion Emergency Border Control Resolution to Reallocate Funds for National Defense and Deficit Reduction

Man in suit speaking at a meeting table.

The House Freedom Caucus introduces a $200 billion “Emergency Border Control Resolution,” challenging GOP leadership and proposing significant budget reallocations.

Quick Takes

Freedom Caucus proposes $200 billion for military, defense, and border security
Plan includes $486.3 billion in spending cuts, aiming for $286 billion deficit reduction over 10 years
Resolution aligns with two-step budget reconciliation approach, contrasting with House leadership’s one-bill strategy
Proposal suggests raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion

Freedom Caucus Challenges GOP Leadership with New Budget Resolution

The House Freedom Caucus has released its own budget resolution, bypassing House GOP leadership amid ongoing debates over reconciliation strategies. This move underscores the internal divisions within the Republican Party as it grapples with complex fiscal issues. The “Emergency Border Control Resolution” proposes $200 billion in new funding for military, defense, and border security, alongside $486.3 billion in spending cuts, with the goal of achieving a $286 billion deficit reduction over 10 years.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), who introduced the resolution, explained the rationale behind this bold move:

“Given the current delay in the House on moving a comprehensive reconciliation bill, moving a smaller targeted bill now makes the most sense to deliver a win for the President and the American people. I am proud to introduce the Emergency Border Control Resolution today to set the reconciliation process in motion in the House.”

Two-Step Approach vs. Single-Bill Strategy

The Freedom Caucus’s resolution aligns with a two-step budget reconciliation approach, supported by many Senate Republicans. This strategy contrasts with House leadership’s preference for a one-bill approach. The Caucus believes that a two-bill approach allows for initial wins and a subsequent focus on tax cuts expiring at the year’s end. This approach is consistent with a plan by Sen. Lindsey Graham, although Speaker Mike Johnson has asked Graham to defer to the House on reconciliation.

The House Freedom Caucus has taken the initiative and introduced its own budgetary resolution on Monday to kick-start the reconciliation process, while Republican leadership continues negotiations.
Dubbed the Emergency Border Control Resolution, the budget contains crucial…

— Mike Netter (@nettermike) February 10, 2025

Challenges and Delays in Budget Reconciliation

The GOP annual retreat in Doral, Florida, ended without a promised reconciliation “blueprint,” and a planned budget resolution markup was canceled. Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned ongoing efforts to finalize a reconciliation deal, with a target for a budget reconciliation markup. However, achieving this by the ambitious deadline of Feb. 24 remains challenging. Johnson highlighted the complexity and diverse ideas within the GOP as factors causing delays:

“There are groups that have different ideas on how to achieve the objective.”

The Freedom Caucus previously proposed a “218 Plan” for reconciliation, aiming for 218 Republican votes, with a topline between $2 and $2.5 trillion. Meanwhile, Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are seeking at least $1 trillion in cuts, with Scalise cautioning against exceeding the topline to maintain resolution validity.

Implications for Border Security and National Defense

The Freedom Caucus’s resolution emphasizes increased funding for border security and defense while proposing cuts in other areas. This aligns with the caucus’s stated goal of supporting Trump’s mandate on border security and government accountability. The Homeland Security Department currently lacks funding for border wall construction and immigration enforcement, with Graham’s budget resolution providing $175 billion for border security.

“President Trump was elected with a mandate to close the southern border, stop the flood of illegal aliens, begin repatriations of those here illegally, and restore accountability to our government.” – Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)

As the debate continues, the resolution sets the stage for further discussions on fiscal priorities, national security, and the overall direction of the Republican Party’s economic agenda. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Freedom Caucus’s proposal gains traction or if a compromise can be reached with House leadership.