Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Andy Harris have spearheaded a letter to Leader-Elect John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson, advocating for a two-step reconciliation process in the upcoming 119th Congress. This strategy is aimed at advancing key elements of former President Trump's agenda, particularly focusing on border security and economic measures.

The letter emphasizes the need for an initial reconciliation bill dedicated to "transformational America First legislation" with the goal of securing the U.S. border. The second step involves preventing potential tax increases, extending Trump-era tax cuts, and implementing spending reforms through the Department of Government Efficiency.

Among those who joined Senator Scott and Congressman Harris in signing the letter are several prominent Senators and Representatives including Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd, Roger Marshall, Lindsey Graham from the Senate; along with House members such as Chip Roy, Lauren Boebert, Josh Brecheen, Eric Burlison among others.

In their communication to Thune and Johnson, they stressed: "Following President Trump’s decisive victory, House and Senate Republicans now have a responsibility to do everything we can to help the President fulfill the promises he made to the American people."

The proposal outlines specific measures for border security which include funding for completing the border wall initiated during Trump's first term and increasing personnel for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also proposes penalties on undocumented immigrants to encourage self-deportation while restricting non-citizens' access to taxpayer-funded welfare benefits.

Furthermore, it calls for budget offsets through mandatory spending cuts that aim not only at covering costs but also achieving deficit reduction. The second phase of reconciliation seeks primarily to avert automatic tax hikes set for January 2026 by maintaining Trump Tax Cuts while incorporating further fiscal reforms.

The signatories expressed commitment towards supporting these legislative efforts in both chambers of Congress.