House Advances $95 Billion Budget Plan as Senate Republicans Raise Concerns

The House Budget Committee advanced a $95 billion budget framework on Thursday that would allocate $73 billion to defense and intelligence funding. The plan forms the first step in a reconciliation process House GOP leaders hope to complete before the August recess. Fox News reported that several Republican lawmakers in both chambers expressed skepticism about the package.

Concerns center on the absence of spending offsets and the attachment of the SAVE America Act to the measure. Sen. ) said he would vote no if the SAVE America Act is included and would slow other legislation.

"If we keep on layering layers of complexity, like another bogus attempt at the SAVE Act, then we're never gonna get it done," Tillis stated. ) expressed confidence that both chambers can approve a budget blueprint before lawmakers depart for recess. The House is expected to leave by the end of next week, while the Senate plans to depart the first week of August.

Thune questioned whether $60 billion in additional funding justified the risks of floor consideration. The White House sent an internal memo to Hill offices Thursday endorsing the House framework and stating that Congress must pass the budget resolution without modification immediately. Sen.

) said lawmakers may need to stay in session if the work remains unfinished. Rep. ) voiced skepticism about a third reconciliation bill and opposed bypassing the normal appropriations process. Rep. ) said the package must be paid for and rejected using a $10 billion grant pool to encourage states to adopt SAVE America Act provisions.

Sen. ) wrote on social media that the next reconciliation bill should be fully paid for, citing rising national debt.