(NewsNation) — House Speaker Mike Johnson said lawmakers will continue working this weekend on hammering out President Donald Trump’s massive legislative package.
The 9-figure package includes resources to strengthen border security; extensions to the 2017 tax cuts; ways to incentivize U.S. manufacturing and investments in American energy — all while working on reducing government programs and addressing the debt limit.
Lawmakers held a marathon meeting with Trump on Thursday which went nearly past midnight at the Capitol. At one point, Trump and House Republicans got out a whiteboard to try and hash out a solution to the budget deal.
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Johnson says he feels optimistic about reaching an agreement following the five-hour talks. Trump wrote, “Balanced Budget!!!” on Truth Social on Friday morning.
Republican lawmakers in the House are at a standstill as the Senate GOP plans to move on their own proposal.
NewsNation partner The Hill writes that the Senate Budget Committee is set to mark up a budget resolution that includes border and energy items but leaves out the tax issues House members are trying to work through.
To the Senate, Johnson says his message is to “allow the House to do its work.”
“We are moving this as quickly and expeditiously as possible,” Johnson said Thursday. “Very positive developments today. We’re really grateful to the president for leaning in and doing what he does best and that is putting a steady hand at the wheel.”
