On April 2, 2025, the Republican-led Senate narrowly voted 52-48 to advance a budget blueprint that aims to implement President Trump's ambitious multitrillion-dollar agenda.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighted that the resolution focuses on making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, enhancing national defense, securing the border, and boosting American energy.

A ruling from the Senate parliamentarian regarding the current policy baseline accounting could pose a significant hurdle in extending the tax cuts, as it may not receive approval.

The budget's proposed spending cuts are modest, totaling only a few billion dollars, and are described as flexible rather than definitive targets.

The timeline for the budget resolution includes extensive debate and a vote-a-rama in the Senate, which may lead to House approval before the upcoming Easter recess.

The proposed budget includes significant tax cuts, increased spending for immigration enforcement, military expansion, and a controversial $5 trillion increase to the national debt limit.

Moderate Republicans are expressing concerns about potential cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, complicating the budget negotiation process.

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have criticized the proposal, arguing it favors the wealthy and could lead to substantial cuts in essential programs.

Following Senate approval, the House will need to reconcile changes, presenting a challenge for Speaker Johnson to maintain party unity.

Thune faces the challenge of securing votes for the resolution, which includes a controversial two-year debt ceiling increase that has drawn opposition from some Republicans.

The budget resolution is a crucial preliminary step that could streamline the passage of significant tax, border security, and defense measures with a simple majority.

Republicans are employing a controversial accounting method known as the 'current policy baseline' to score the cost of extending Trump's tax cuts at zero, a tactic criticized by Democrats as misleading.