GOP worries time running out on Trump’s agenda with Congress

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The Hill's Headlines (PM) - August 11, 2026

The Hill's Headlines (PM) - August 11, 2026

The Senate’s departure for a five-week August recess leaves big political fights for September and the postelection lame-duck session, setting up a scramble to accomplish as much of President Trump’s agenda before Republicans possibly lose complete control of Congress.  

Trump has ramped up pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to move a budget reconciliation package to help cover the costs of the war with Iran and to raise the debt limit through the end of his second term so he doesn’t have to negotiate with Democrats on those two huge issues.

“That’s going to be the last helicopter off the embassy, a reconciliation package, and they’re going to put every effort they can into getting that through because that would be the last piece of Republican policy for a while” if Democrats win control of part of Congress, said Ron Bonjean, a GOP strategist and former Senate leadership aide.

Trump has acknowledged that the nature of his presidency may change next year, given the possibility Democrats will regain one or both chambers of Congress.

The president signed off on a deal to adjourn the Senate last week after reaching an understanding with Thune and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chair of the Senate Budget Committee, that Republicans would work hard on laying the groundwork for a third budget reconciliation package during the August recess.

But GOP senators privately acknowledge there’s virtually no chance that Trump will get these wish list items before the election, warning that voting on them before November would amplify political targets on vulnerable Republican colleagues.

Several Republican senators at a meeting last week voiced concerns about holding a marathon series of votes on a budget........

© The Hill