Receive as Weekly Newsletter
May 5, 2025 Update
[New information bolded and italicized]As difficult as it has been for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to pass bills through a narrowly divided House, the month of May will be especially challenging. Reconciliation remains top of the list and House committees have been marking up their portions of the larger bill. The House Armed Services Committee backed the additional military spending proposed by President Donald Trump of $150 billion by a 35-21 vote after a series of more than 20 Democratic amendments targeting the administration’s plan. Five Democrats sided with Republicans on the final vote to increase Pentagon spending: Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Don Davis (D-NC), George Whitesides (D-CA) and Eugene Vindman (D-VA). The major challenge facing Republicans in both the House and Senate is the opposition to the very deep cuts in Medicaid and programs that would significantly impact constituents in both red and blue districts. There are also GOP divisions on how much to increase the U.S. debt ceiling, with hardline conservatives pressing for deeper cuts in domestic spending. Speaker Johnson’s goal of having this reconciliation bill complete by Memorial Day has already largely been scrapped. July 4 looks to be the new goal. Moving onto Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026), President Trump submitted the outline of his budget on Friday, often referred to as a “skinny” budget in Washington parlance. Though “skinny” on detail, there is no shortage of insight to be gained into this president’s plans. President Trump’s budget would cut $163 billion from non-defense discretionary spending, a near 23% reduction, bringing it down to roughly $557 billion. He would increase national security spending by $1.01 trillion for the next fiscal year, including the $150 billion allocated via the above-mentioned reconciliation bill. There is also significant funding for the Golden Dome national missile defense system, nuclear weapons modernization and an expansion of naval shipbuilding. The State Department budget, in contrast, would be slashed by $26.5 billion, including $8.3 billion in U.S. economic and development aid, $6.2 billion from global health spending and ending the United States’ $1.6 billion annual contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Almost as striking as the numbers was the language used that reads more like one of the President’s inflammatory campaign speeches than a budget document, such as “U.S. economic and development aid has been funneled to radical, leftist priorities, including climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and LGBTQ activities around the world.” It is important to remember that the budget request is largely a political document, and Congress will work to craft the actual spending for FY 2026. However, Congress has been very careful not to run afoul of President Trump so far and it remains to be seen how much legislative leaders will push back this time.
Tentative 2024 Congressional Recess Schedule*When noted that both the Senate and House are in session, the House and Senate schedules may diverge by a day or two* April 28 – May 23: Both Senate and House largely in session May 26: Memorial Day June 2 – June 27: Both Senate and House largely in session June 19: Juneteenth federal holiday July 4: Independence Day federal holiday July 7 – July 31: Both Senate and House largely in session August 4 – August 29: Congressional Recess September 1: Labor Day September 2 – September 19: Both Senate and House largely in session September 22 – September 26: Congressional Recess September 29 – November 7: Both Senate and House largely in session October 1 – November 7: Both Senate and House largely in session October 13: Columbus Day November 3 – November 7: Both Senate and House largely in session November 10 – November 14: Congressional Recess November 11: Veterans’ Day November 17- November 21: Both Senate and House in session November 24 – November 28: Congressional Recess November 27: Thanksgiving December 1- December 19: Both Senate and House largely in session December 19: Target Congressional adjournment |
