https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-republicans-plan-pass-trumps-agenda-through-reconciliation-2024-12-16/WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - When President-elect Donald Trump's Republicans take control of the U.S. Congress next month, they plan to rely on a maneuver called "reconciliation" to achieve his ambitious tax-cutting and border-hardening goals over the opposition of Senate Democrats.
Here is an explanation of how that works:
WHAT IS RECONCILIATION?
The U.S. Senate's "filibuster" rule requires 60 votes in the 100-seat chamber to advance most legislation. Republicans will start next year with a 53-47 Senate majority, which would require seven Democrats to vote with them to pass bills.
However, reconciliation allows some tax and spending bills to pass with a simple majority vote. Republicans plan to use this process to increase spending on border security and cut taxes, and are currently deciding whether to handle them separately or roll them into one gigantic package.
Republicans will also control the House of Representatives by a 220-215 margin when all their seats are filled, but can pass legislation with a simple majority vote in that chamber.
