As Republicans take control of both sides of Congress for the first time in six years, they face the task of implementing President-elect Donald Trump’s tax and spending policies, as well as confirming his nominees. The Senate Agriculture Committee is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, on Jan. 15. So far, no opposition to her nomination has been reported.
The House and Senate will meet on Monday to certify the November election results, with no significant drama expected. However, the weather may impact the certification process, as up to 10 inches of snow are forecasted in the Washington area. Additionally, the Capitol will host the body of the late President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday, with a state funeral scheduled for Thursday morning at the Washington National Cathedral.
Committees on both sides of Congress are still in the process of organizing and staffing up, with House Democrats yet to announce their committee rosters and the new top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Amy Klobuchar, still finalizing her staff. House Republicans are under pressure to swiftly enact Trump’s agenda, with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson planning to move a comprehensive budget reconciliation bill addressing border security, energy development, tax cuts, and the government’s debt ceiling.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune prefers delaying tax provisions to a second reconciliation bill later in the year. The budget reconciliation process allows Republicans to pass legislation related to revenue and spending with a simple majority, bypassing the usual 60-vote requirement. However, passing any legislation in the narrowly divided House will be challenging, as Republicans hold a slim majority.
Some conservative members are pushing for spending cuts to offset tax cuts and border security funding, while Senate Republicans argue that tax cuts should not be offset. Thune advocates for a two-step strategy, with the first bill addressing national security and energy policy, and the second extending expiring tax cuts with accompanying spending reductions.
House Republicans, like Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, support a one-bill approach for reconciliation. Agriculture and rural-related events scheduled for the week in Washington and elsewhere include the Potato Expo in Orlando, Florida, and the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia.
Overall, Republicans in Congress face the challenge of implementing Trump’s agenda while navigating internal divisions and a closely divided House. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the success of their legislative efforts and the impact on key policy areas such as tax cuts, spending, and national security.