WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a $95 billion legislative plan focused on boosting defense, aiding farmers and enacting stricter voter registration rules, a sequel to the massive tax and spending cut bill that President Donald Trump signed into law last year.The 47-page outline, called a budget resolution, is a long-shot undertaking designed to supplement Pentagon funding for the Iran war and address Trump’s top priority of changing voter registration requirements. A more ambitious version was narrowed to address concerns of conservatives about how it would be paid for and adding to the deficit. The resolution does not seek any offsets to pay for the new spending.House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed ahead after meeting with Trump at the White House this week in what will be the Republicans’ calling card to voters this fall heading into the midterm elections, with control of Congress at stake. “Safeguarding American elections and strengthening our national defense are the most basic responsibilities of Congress,” Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson welcomed the chance to again use a legislative process that will allow Republicans to overpower Democratic objections and eventually approve legislation on a party line majority vote, saying the Democrats won’t be able to block their GOP priorities “any longer.”Democrats, however, have argued against the sharply partisan path, particularly for matters of war funding.The Budget Committee is expected to consider the outline Thursday, ahead of floor action in the House next week.
