Budget Committee

Democrats on the Budget Committee expressed frustration with Sen. Ron Johnson during a Medicaid hearing, as he rebutted their remarks. Johnson defended his approach as making hearings more informative, while Democrats criticized it as unusual. The discussion focused on Medicaid cuts and fraud.

Hardline conservatives are gaining influence in the Senate by securing leadership roles on key committees. Ron Johnson chairs the Budget Committee and Homeland Security subcommittee on investigations, while Mike Lee is next in line for the Judiciary Committee. Rand Paul leads the Homeland Security Committee, and Rick Scott chairs the Aging Committee and GOP steering committee.

Senate Republicans are recommending Darline Graham to assume committee assignments previously held by her brother, with the Senate expected to formalize the changes. Leadership roles on Budget and Appropriations subcommittees will also be filled, with Ron Johnson and Susan Collins expected to take interim positions.

House Republican leaders face time pressure and member frustrations over a $95 billion reconciliation 3.0 framework, which they aim to advance through the Budget Committee. Uncertainty remains about whether the package will pass the House or reach President Trump.

Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing House Republicans to finalize a budget resolution by Thursday to advance a reconciliation package aimed at bypassing Senate filibuster rules. The proposed $87 billion plan includes defense and agriculture funding and elements of the SAVE America Act, but faces pushback from GOP members seeking more details and assurances about funding offsets. Johnson lacks current support for the measure, and internal party tensions are rising as leaders work to narrow the scope of 'Reconciliation 3.0'.

The Senate is considering who will fill Sen. Lindsey Graham's committee seats on key panels including Judiciary, Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, and the Budget Committee. GOP leaders, including Chairman Chuck Grassley and Sen. Mike Crapo, are discussing the replacements, with Sen. Ron Johnson noted as a potential candidate for the Budget Committee.

John Thune praises Senator Lindsey Graham as a unifying figure for the Republican Party, highlighting his dedication to American foreign policy and ability to bridge party divisions. Graham's influence on conservative policy and legislative achievements, including budget resolutions, is emphasized.

Senator Lindsey Graham played a major role in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, leading to a plan that reopened the Department of Homeland Security after a government shutdown. His budget committee initiated a measure to fund agencies overseeing mass deportation campaigns.

Republican lawmakers return to Capitol Hill facing obstacles including demands from Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell’s absence, and the sudden death of Lindsey Graham, complicating their agenda. The death of the budget committee chair affects negotiations on defense spending and other priorities outlined by Trump.

Sen. Lindsey Graham's sudden death complicates Republican efforts to maintain Senate majority and replace him on the Budget Committee. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster must choose a replacement for Graham’s term, while Republicans face challenges in a special election to retain his Senate seat. Potential candidates include Reps. Nancy Mace, Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lindsey Graham's death disrupts the U.S. Senate's legislative agenda, particularly affecting key committees he chaired or led, including Budget, Appropriations, and Judiciary. His absence complicates efforts to advance spending bills, confirm the acting Attorney General, and impose sanctions on Russia, with potential long-term impacts on defense, foreign affairs, and judicial policies.

Lindsey Graham's death disrupts the Senate's legislative agenda, particularly affecting committee work on spending, judicial confirmations, and Russia sanctions. His absence narrows the GOP majority to 52-47, complicating efforts to advance key priorities ahead of the midterms.

Republicans are attempting to advance a $72 billion immigration enforcement funding bill through the Senate, but the effort is being complicated by disputes over White House security funding for the East Wing and ballroom. Senators Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy are withholding support over concerns about Secret Service funding and budget rule compliance. The bill requires only three Republican defections to fail, making passage uncertain.

White House OMB Director Russell Vought stated at a Budget Committee hearing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is 'disintegrating' due to Congress failing to fund the department since its appropriations lapsed on Feb. 14. He described the situation at DHS as 'dire' as the funding lapse worsens.