House GOP Divided Over Border Security and Tax Priorities

Republican lawmakers debate whether to pursue a two-step legislative strategy or combine border and tax reforms into a single package.

The House Freedom Caucus supports prioritizing a border security bill in January before addressing tax and energy reforms later in the year.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Trump advisors back the two-step strategy, emphasizing immediate action on border issues.
Some House Republicans, including Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, argue for combining tax reforms with border measures to avoid legislative delays.
The debate centers on timing challenges, with concerns about passing two reconciliation bills in the same year given the GOP's slim House majority.
President-elect Trump has not yet clarified whether he supports a single package or the two-step approach, leaving the party without clear direction.