WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, House Republicans unveiled a budget resolution proposing significant tax reductions of up to $4.5 trillion and aiming for a $2 trillion cut in federal spending.

This fiscal plan is set to be reviewed by the House Budget Committee the following day. If the committee and the complete House endorse it, Republicans will initiate the creation of a major party-line measure to advance President Donald Trump’s policy goals.

In regard to immigration and border security funding—key priorities for Trump—the resolution allocates $110 billion to the Judiciary Committee, which oversees immigration matters.

This figure is notably lower than the Senate’s budget resolution, which designates $175 billion for immigration enforcement.

Additionally, the resolution proposes raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, in anticipation of an imminent deadline for Congress to act to prevent a potentially disastrous default on national obligations.

Furthermore, it states that the objective of this concurrent resolution is to decrease mandatory spending by $2 trillion, impacting areas of the U.S. budget such as Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits.

If the House fails to identify $2 trillion in deficit reductions, the resolution indicates that the Ways & Means Committee’s mandate of $4.5 trillion should be adjusted downward to reflect that shortfall. There have been calls from House conservatives for more aggressive cuts.

“This budget resolution marks an essential move toward implementing President Trump’s America First agenda,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. In a statement, he emphasized the involvement of nearly every House Republican in this process, highlighting their unified commitment to realizing the President’s complete agenda.

“We anticipate ongoing discussions and debates in the upcoming weeks, and our focus remains on fulfilling our promises to the American people. There’s still a significant amount of work ahead, but we’re taking the right first steps,” Johnson added.

Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the leading Democrat on the Budget Committee, criticized the proposal sharply.

“This Republican initiative is not only misguided—it undermines the middle class. Their plan cuts vital programs that millions of hardworking Americans depend on, all while increasing the deficit to finance substantial benefits for large corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals like Elon Musk,” said Boyle in a statement.

For the budget resolution to proceed from the Budget Committee to the full House, it must secure a majority vote. With Republicans holding a narrow majority of 218-215 and unlikely to receive bipartisan support, the stakes are high. The House is expected to observe a recess next week.

Some hardline Republicans expressed reservations about the budget outline released on Wednesday.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, noted that he still had “a lot of factors” to assess before finalizing his position.

Roy, who is a member of the Budget Committee, mentioned that he has been “clear since December” about the necessity for $2.5 trillion in cuts, which exceeds the budget resolution’s proposed target.

“If you’re requesting defense funding through the reconciliation process, then it’s imperative that we manage appropriations effectively when the current government funding expires on March 14,” he stated.

Another committee member, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., also remained undecided regarding the budget resolution. “Tomorrow’s decision hinges on the amendments we pursue,” he said. “There are still numerous unanswered questions.”

When asked if he expected the budget to advance out of committee, Norman remarked, “I can’t say. Many members have queries, and whether it satisfies everyone is uncertain. Then there’s the question of its viability on the floor. … I believe President Trump will need to become involved.”

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, referred to the budget resolution as “a starting point, but there’s always room for enhancement.”

Chief among Perry’s concerns is the level of proposed spending cuts. “I don’t want to contribute to the nation’s bankruptcy,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the Senate Budget Committee began advancing its own budget resolution on Thursday. Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized the House GOP for providing less funding for immigration than the $175 billion requested by Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan.

“They’re not heeding the administration’s needs,” Graham stated on Wednesday. “I’m comfortable with $175 billion. Now is not the appropriate moment to cut corners on border security… I would like to understand why they feel entitled to half of what was requested.”

Despite this, Johnson emphasized the necessity for the House to take the lead.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., harshly criticized the GOP budget proposal.

“Republicans are deceiving working-class individuals by reaching into their wallets to fund tax breaks for the wealthy,” she stated. “Make no mistake: this GOP proposal will increase the financial burden on American families concerning groceries, healthcare, and education—all to support tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.”

The “budget reconciliation” process allows Republicans to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster requirement, separate from the impending March 14 government funding deadline, which necessitates a bipartisan agreement between the parties to avert a shutdown.