Republican leaders are pushing for a third budget reconciliation bill, but internal divisions are threatening to derail the effort as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The package, which could include defense funding, fraud prevention, and voter ID requirements, has sparked skepticism among moderates facing competitive races and hardliners with competing priorities.
President Trump added momentum this week by calling on Republicans to pass a $350 billion bill that includes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and an ID to cast a ballot. However, the prospect of another party-line vote has some lawmakers balking, particularly those in swing districts who worry about alienating independent voters.
Key Skeptics Speak Out
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Tuesday that he believes “it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill.” Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), who faces a tough reelection challenge from Democrat Graham Platner, quickly agreed. “I agree with that assessment,” she said.
In the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) was blunt. “It’s not happening,” he said, adding that leadership hasn’t consulted members on the plan. “How are we even discussing this when they don’t come to us? What does that tell you about their planning?” Fitzpatrick, who voted against Trump’s earlier reconciliation bill over Medicaid concerns, questioned the strategy and funding.
“Any time you’re talking about reconciliation, you have to know what you’re trying to accomplish. You have to socialize it with your membership,” Fitzpatrick said. “They have not explained to me and to many others what they’re trying to accomplish here.”
Leadership Pushes Back
House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) dismissed the skepticism as “loser talk.” He argued that Republicans must “utilize every second that’s on the clock for this majority and pass another reconciliation bill” to energize the base and fulfill campaign promises. “I hope some of my Senate colleagues will reconsider their enthusiasm,” Arrington added. “They don’t even have to be enthusiastic. I just want them to participate.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he expects a third bill to move “in the coming weeks,” and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) noted that a package centered on military funding is “on the table.” But the path forward remains uncertain, as House and Senate Republicans must reconcile competing visions and overcome procedural hurdles.
Conservative Demands Add Pressure
Hardline conservatives, including the Republican Study Committee, have pushed for healthcare reforms in a third bill, such as redirecting ObamaCare subsidies to individuals rather than insurers. These demands clash with moderates’ reluctance to touch entitlement programs like Medicaid, which proved a sticking point in previous reconciliation efforts.
The intraparty divide mirrors broader tensions within the GOP, as leaders try to balance the priorities of the party’s conservative base with the electoral realities facing swing-district members. Senate resistance to Trump's push for a Pentagon-focused package underscores the challenge.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said he thinks there’s a “possibility” Republicans get a third bill done before the August recess or November elections, but he stressed the need to start work immediately. “We need to start working on it now, not wait till the last minute,” he said.
With time running short and election-year pressures mounting, the fate of a third reconciliation package remains uncertain. The coming weeks will test whether GOP leaders can bridge the divides within their conference—or whether the effort will collapse under its own weight.
