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As mentioned in last week’s update, Senate consideration of the second reconciliation package stalled in late May amid growing Republican concerns over the Anti-Weaponization Fund established as part of the settlement agreement resolving President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Momentum returned last week after the Department of Justice (DOJ) informed the court that it would comply with an order temporarily halting activities related to the Fund while legal questions are reviewed. The DOJ subsequently provided additional assurances, stating that it would not move forward with implementation of the Fund.

With those commitments in hand, Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) moved to restart consideration of a revised Reconciliation 2.0 package. The updated legislation removed funding previously designated for the proposed White House ballroom project while maintaining overall spending levels. The Senate approved the initial procedural motion to begin floor consideration by a largely party-line vote of 53-46.

Floor debate and the subsequent vote-a-rama highlighted growing tensions within the Republican Conference. Several Republican senators broke with party leadership to support amendments targeting the Anti-Weaponization Fund, the White House ballroom project, and actions involving the Acting Director of National Intelligence. While many of these amendments required a 60-vote threshold and therefore had little chance of adoption, the votes nevertheless served as a public display of concerns among some Republican members.

One amendment requiring only a simple majority vote proved particularly challenging for leadership. Senate leaders kept the vote open for nearly three hours while working to secure the necessary support. Ultimately, Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) changed his vote, allowing several Republican colleagues facing difficult reelection campaigns to support the amendment without jeopardizing its defeat.

The willingness of a broader group of Republican senators to challenge leadership on these votes—including members not typically known for opposing either Senate leadership or the White House—underscored the political pressures facing the conference heading into the election cycle. The episode suggested that maintaining party unity may become increasingly difficult as vulnerable members seek to establish greater independence from an administration facing declining public approval ratings.

Despite the internal divisions, Republican leaders ultimately held their conference together on final passage. The Senate approved the reconciliation package early Friday morning by a vote of 52-47. Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, while Sen. Bennet (D-CO) did not vote.

The legislation now moves to the House, where lawmakers are expected to consider the measure this week.