Crane Says Reconciliation Bill Will 'Test' Mike Johnson

Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) spoke with The Afternoon Addiction with Garret Lewis about the reconciliation bill, saying it will "test" House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

Rep. Crane posted the discussion to X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Reconciliation is an amazing opportunity to pass a significant amount of @realDonaldTrump's agenda. This process will allow us to extend tax cuts, secure the border, unleash American energy, and slash inflation. Huge thanks to @GarretLewis for having me on."

The "reconciliation" Rep. Crane refers to is the two-step process by which the Republican chamber leaders of the 119th Congress, Speaker Johnson and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), work with fellow Republicans to advance President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.

Hence, the Arizona Congressman remarked that the reconciliation process "is going to be the test for Mike Johnson, whether you can get done what the President wants."

"Because for your audience out there," Crane continued, "reconciliation is a tremendous tool, and it is the best opportunity for us to get a lot of the President's agenda through."

The Hill reported that Sen. Thune told Trump, who spoke of the reconciliation package as a single bill, that they could split it into two parts under budget reconciliation. This would allow the package to pass without needing the Senate filibuster or Democratic votes.

Crane explained, "We only need a majority from the Senate [and] a majority from the House. And because [Republicans] have a majority in those, it gives us an amazing opportunity to get your tax cuts through, your border security through, the energy policy that is really going to open up the economy and start slashing inflation for the American people."

However, The Hill also noted that the debate about splitting the reconciliation bill in two or keeping it whole remains contested.

Nevertheless, Crane expressed further optimism that the process, seemingly regardless of the "big beautiful bill" or two-part bill debate, "can get the presidency around these spending cuts because if we really want to get this economy roaring on all cylinders, pro-growth policies and the president is really big on that, will help a lot."

"But if we are able to ratchet back and cut some of the just bloated and ridiculous spending up here, that will really help as well," Crane concluded.