The new Congress, set to begin Friday, will be faced with significant challenges as they navigate the first year of Donald Trump’s second term in office. With a tiny House Republican majority of 219 members, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faces the monumental task of maintaining party unity and advancing Trump’s immigration and tax goals.
Despite facing a tenuous majority, House Republicans will need to work with Democrats to fund the government by March 14, extend the debt ceiling, and pass legislation to support Trump’s immigration, energy, and tax priorities. These efforts will require compromise and negotiation, as well as navigating the Senate’s 60-vote rule.
Republicans hope to use the budget reconciliation process to pass a bill with only Republican votes, bypassing the need for Democratic support. However, disagreements within the party over key issues such as border security funding and tax cuts could complicate the process.
The looming debt ceiling deadline adds further pressure on Congress to find a solution. Republicans have proposed $2.5 trillion in spending cuts alongside a debt limit hike, but it remains to be seen if they can reach a consensus on this approach. The stakes are high, as a failure to raise the debt ceiling could have severe consequences for the U.S. and global economy.
Overall, the new Congress faces a challenging agenda in 2025, with significant decisions to be made on critical issues that will impact the country’s future.
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