BREAKING: House approves Trump-backed budget resolution

Passing the resolution bring the GOP one step closer to getting the spending agenda passed by Congress. Ahead of the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said, "I believe we have the votes to finally adopt the budget resolution so we can move forward on President Trump's very important agenda for the American people.”

The two GOP members that chose to vote against the resolution were Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as well as Victoria Spartz (R-IN). As the vote for the budget resolution approached this week, it was not a certain victory for Trump, as there was a bloc of more fiscally conservative House members concerned that the budget could lead to a higher national debt.

On Wednesday evening, the bill was pulled back as some Republicans were looking to cut more spending. After the Republicans talked with Johson, he told reporters that commitments were discussed, including “finding at least $1.5 trillion in savings for the American people while also preserving our essential programs.” The House passed its version of the resolution in February, then the Senate sent back a compromise resolution over the weekend, per the Washington Examiner.

The Senate version had to be approved by the House before going forward. The bill includes an increase on the debt ceiling of $5 trillion and although the original House bill outlined plans to make $2 trillion in spending cuts, the Senate version said that figure was a goal to reach towards, but set spending cuts at $4 billion instead.

The resolution will go to Trump’s desk for signing, where it will allow for the GOP to draft legislation to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts that were set to end later this year. It will also allow for committees to start drafting legislation to push forward Trump’s agenda to increase border security as well as energy in the United States.