Trump urges Senate to pass House budget before August

President Donald Trump publicly pressured Senate Republican leadership on Friday, July 24, 2026, to pass a $95 billion House-approved budget resolution before the chamber's August recess, setting up a confrontation over legislative priorities and procedure. The president made the demand in a post on Truth Social, urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune to adopt the measure, which can pass with a simple majority, and begin the budget reconciliation process.

The House narrowly passed the Republican-led budget framework on Wednesday. It allocates $73 billion for the Pentagon and intelligence agencies, $12 billion for agricultural support, and $10 billion for election-related reforms. Passing a joint budget resolution would unlock reconciliation, allowing the Republican majority to pass subsequent legislation with 51 votes instead of the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.

However, Thune stated on Thursday that the measure currently lacks the necessary support within the Republican conference to clear the chamber. "As I've said before, you got to get to 50, and I can't count to 50 right now on a budget resolution," Thune told reporters. He added that the...