House Speaker Mike Johnson juggles diplomatic engagements and budget negotiations amid Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal.
Quick Takes
- Johnson cancels Netanyahu meeting due to extended Trump talks
- Republicans debate single vs. two-bill approach for budget reconciliation
- Trump’s Gaza proposal sparks mixed reactions across political spectrum
- GOP aims to advance Trump’s policy priorities through budget reconciliation
- Budget resolution markup faces delays amid ongoing negotiations
Diplomatic Shuffle and Gaza Proposal
House Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to cancel a scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to an extended discussion with President Donald Trump. The meeting, originally set for 1:25 p.m., was derailed as lawmakers remained at the White House following an 11 a.m. meeting. Netanyahu proceeded to meet with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and a bipartisan group of senators instead.
The diplomatic reshuffle coincided with Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza. The president suggested that the United States take ownership of the Gaza Strip, relocate its residents, and reconstruct the area. This proposal has elicited mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Johnson described Trump’s idea as a “bold move,” emphasizing its potential for peace in the region. However, Democrats criticized the plan, with some characterizing it as promoting “ethnic cleansing.”
Republican Budget Debate
Meanwhile, House Republicans are embroiled in a strategic debate over the best approach to budget reconciliation. The discussion centers on whether to adopt a single-bill strategy or pursue two separate bills. Johnson is advocating for a unified approach, emphasizing the need for cohesion and swift progress in implementing Trump’s agenda.
“Tick, tock, we’re running out of time. We’ve talked about this for how long?” – Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich.
The GOP faces significant challenges due to their narrow House majority and potential competing proposals from Senate Republicans. The Freedom Caucus and some Senate Republicans favor a two-bill approach, which Johnson has cautioned against. Despite these internal disagreements, Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise reported progress in their meeting with Trump, working towards a budget resolution framework.
Budget Reconciliation Strategy
Republicans are aiming to use the budget reconciliation process to pass key policies without the threat of a Senate filibuster. The broad budget framework, expected to be released following extensive meetings, includes discussions on extending the federal borrowing limit, preserving 2017 tax cuts, addressing U.S.-Mexico border issues, and eliminating taxes on tips.
“We want to go with urgency. We want to make sure we get something done.” – Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo
Other ideas being finalized include eliminating taxes on senior Social Security and overtime pay, as well as closing tax loopholes. The budget resolution aims for a markup as early as next week, although disagreements persist over the amount of cuts needed. A previous markup was delayed as lawmakers left a GOP retreat without a definitive “blueprint.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended President Donald Trump's announced plan to take ownership of Gaza to redevelop it, calling it a "bold move" to show the U.S. stands with Israel.
Read more: https://t.co/KmBtLt69C3 pic.twitter.com/ZzoXIqHBok
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 5, 2025
Looking Ahead
As tensions persist, efforts are being made towards achieving a timely budget resolution update to steer this process. Johnson has rescheduled his meeting with Netanyahu for Friday, noting Netanyahu’s praise for Trump regarding a hostage ceasefire deal. The coming days will be crucial for Republican lawmakers as they attempt to navigate internal disagreements and advance their policy priorities through the budget reconciliation process.
“They’re talking about the budget and priorities from this administration — tax priorities.” – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
With the clock ticking and pressure mounting, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces the challenge of unifying his party while addressing critical diplomatic and budgetary matters. The success of these efforts will likely have significant implications for both domestic policy and international relations in the coming months.
Sources:
- US House Speaker Johnson praises Trump’s ‘bold’ Gaza proposal | Reuters
- Republicans race to release plans to advance Trump policy agenda in Congress : NPR
- Netanyahu gets stood up by Speaker Johnson for long-running White House meeting
