{"id":2419521,"date":"2025-04-03T15:40:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T19:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-locks-down-budget-blueprint-support-ahead-of-senate-test-vote-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-03T15:41:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T19:41:35","slug":"thune-locks-down-budget-blueprint-support-ahead-of-senate-test-vote-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-locks-down-budget-blueprint-support-ahead-of-senate-test-vote-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Thune locks down budget blueprint support ahead of Senate test vote &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthune-locks-down-budget-blueprint-support-ahead-of-senate-test-vote-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2419521&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Majority leader John Thune (R-SD) is working to solidify Republican support for a budget blueprint designed to advance President Donald Trump&#8217;s agenda. Following a productive meeting at teh White House, several previously undecided senators expressed their support for the plan, which outlines spending levels for Trump&#8217;s tax, border, and energy policies. While many fiscal conservatives have committed to voting &#8220;yes&#8221; on an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-eyes-swift-passage-of-95-billion-foreign-aid-bill\/\" title=\"Senate aims for quick approval of B foreign aid legislation\">upcoming test vote<\/a>, some senators, including Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), remain hesitant due to concerns over potential cuts to Medicaid and the budget&#8217;s ambiguous deficit reduction goals. The blueprint aims to achieve $2 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years but lacks firm commitments. President Trump assured skeptics of his dedication to reducing the deficit, which adjusted some senators&#8217; views positively. Though, Thune can only afford to lose three Republicans for the resolution to pass, as all Democrats are expected to oppose it, and some GOP senators, like Rand Paul (R-KY), have voiced opposition due to the inclusion of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/speaker-pelosi-promises-to-pass-bill-to-suspend-debt-limit\/\" title=\"Speaker Pelosi promises to pass bill to suspend debt limit\">federal debt ceiling<\/a> hike.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Thune locks down budget blueprint support ahead of Senate test vote<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2082520\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) is winnowing down the number of Republicans not yet sold on a blueprint to unlock President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s agenda, with a Wednesday meeting at the White House winning over several budget hawks but other senators still undecided.<\/p>\n<p>Fiscal conservatives who were previously noncommital <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3367726\/senate-gop-releases-trump-agenda-blueprint-spending-fight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">on the blueprint<\/a>, which authorizes spending levels for Trump&rsquo;s tax, border, and energy priorities, told reporters they would vote &ldquo;yes&rdquo; on a test vote that could come as soon as Thursday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3369244\/chuck-grassley-maria-cantwell-bipartisan-legislation-target-trump-tariffs\/\">Another bipartisan group of senators are making moves to target Trump tariffs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3368959\/john-kennedy-compares-tariffs-whiskey-bets-every-foreign-trade-rep-negotiate\/\">John Kennedy compares tariffs to whiskey and bets &#8216;every foreign trade rep&#8217; will negotiate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3367493\/gop-senators-called-out-by-trump-over-anti-tariff-resolution\/\">&lsquo;Unbelievably disloyal&rsquo; GOP senators slammed by Trump over fears they&rsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-senators-called-out-by-trump-over-anti-tariff-resolution-fears-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... called out by Trump over anti-tariff resolution fears - Washington Examiner\">ll back anti-tariff resolution<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Their reluctance centered on the level of deficit reduction written into the Senate&rsquo;s budget text, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.budget.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/senate_amendment_h_con_res_14.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">aspirationally<\/a> seeks to cut $2 trillion across 10 years but offers no firm commitments. At the meeting, Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3368104\/trump-reassures-deficit-skittish-republicans-white-house-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">assured those skeptics<\/a> he would take deficit reduction seriously, a message he <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/trumpdailyposts\/status\/1907575374654935097?s=51&amp;t=oYTIYwEqmPpaQCOEPM8xZA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reiterated<\/a> on social media Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are going to cut Spending, and right-size the Budget back to where it should be. The Senate Plan has my Complete and Total Support,&rdquo; Trump said on Truth Social.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Mike Lee (R-UT) told reporters they were a definitive &ldquo;yes&rdquo; after signaling newfound openness to the plan hours earlier.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;His commitment was important to me,&rdquo; said Scott, who asked Trump to follow through on his promise to erase the $1.9 trillion federal deficit. &ldquo;I believe he&rsquo;ll do what he said he&rsquo;s going to do.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Thune still has skeptics of the blueprint, however. Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Josh-Hawley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Josh Hawley<\/a> (R-MO) told reporters he&rsquo;s still &ldquo;reviewing&rdquo; the resolution given it will likely force a rollback of Medicaid. The blueprint preserves House language instructing the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has purview over Medicaid, to find $880 billion in cuts, while the Senate text commits to protecting the program, except for &ldquo;waste, fraud, and abuse.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I mean, we&rsquo;re voting on the House instructions that have Medicaid cuts after we were told we wouldn&rsquo;t be,&rdquo; Hawley said on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), one of the Senate&rsquo;s GOP centrists, also expressed reservations over the possible Medicaid cuts, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/burgessev\/status\/1907858646052098157\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according to<\/a> <em>Semafor<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Thune can only afford to lose three Republicans when the Senate holds a procedural vote on the resolution in a chamber he controls 53-47. All Democrats are expected to vote &ldquo;no,&rdquo; while at least one GOP senator, Rand Paul (R-KY), refuses to lend his support given the blueprint includes a hike in the federal debt ceiling.<\/p>\n<p>He plans to offer an amendment during the Senate&rsquo;s &ldquo;vote-a-rama,&rdquo; a marathon series of floor votes, to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/live-updates\/2025\/04\/02\/congress\/rand-paul-is-ready-to-squeeze-gop-senators-on-their-5t-debt-hike-00267947\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">strike<\/a> the debt ceiling increase out of the legislation almost entirely, though his measure is expected to fail.<\/p>\n<p>The remaining GOP resistance, expressed most vocally by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), centers on the resolution&rsquo;s use of a novel accounting technique that would zero out the cost of extending Trump&rsquo;s 2017 tax cuts, in effect skirting around provisions projected to add trillions to the deficit.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3323999\/what-is-vote-a-rama-washington-marathon-loathed-senators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>WHAT IS A &lsquo;VOTE-A-RAMA,&rsquo; THE WASHINGTON MARATHON LOATHED BY SENATORS?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Scott told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the White House&rsquo;s commitment to rescission legislation that codifies much of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Department-of-Government-Efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Department of Government Efficiency<\/a>&rsquo;s slashing, or in some cases shuttering, of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">federal agencies helped influence<\/a> his vote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What we talked about is, you know, the president&rsquo;s got to take a lead on this, and he&rsquo;s committed to doing it,&rdquo; Scott said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s committed to balancing the budget.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2082520\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2082520\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thune secures budget support before Senate vote; some GOP remain unsure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2419522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thune-keeps-critics-at-bay.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50021,32603,52780,23610,32076],"class_list":["post-2419521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-budget-blueprint","tag-political-news","tag-senate-test-vote","tag-thune","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thune-keeps-critics-at-bay.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2419521"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2419525,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419521\/revisions\/2419525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2419522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2419521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2419521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2419521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}