Trump Urges 'Slim' Spending Bill, Downplays New Tax Cuts

President calls for immigration enforcement funding, but dismisses adding other GOP priorities ahead of midterms

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:08pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of the U.S. Capitol building in warm, golden light, with deep shadows casting across the facade, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.As partisan divisions deepen in Washington, the former president's push for a narrowly focused spending bill underscores the GOP's internal struggles ahead of the crucial midterm elections.Washington Today

President Donald Trump has urged Republican lawmakers in Congress to pursue a 'slim' spending bill focused primarily on funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, downplaying the likelihood of adding tax cuts or other economic measures to the package ahead of the midterm elections.

Why it matters

Trump's intervention in the GOP's legislative strategy reflects the party's internal divisions over how to approach the upcoming midterms, with some Republicans pushing for a broader bill to address voters' economic concerns, while Trump and Senate leadership favor a narrower, immigration-focused measure that can pass with a simple majority.

The details

Senate Republicans are pushing a spending bill aimed at providing funding for ICE and the Border Patrol through a reconciliation process, which would allow the party to bypass Democratic opposition. However, House Republicans have argued the package should also include some politically popular measures to address voters' cost of living concerns. Trump told Fox Business the legislation will focus 'mostly' on immigration enforcement, saying the GOP wants to keep the bill 'sort of slim' to ensure he has 'the safest border in the history of our country'.

  • Trump made the comments in an interview that aired on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who is urging Republicans in Congress to pursue a 'slim' spending bill focused on immigration enforcement funding.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader who aims to press ahead with a narrowly focused or 'anorexic' policy bill to speed passage, despite calls from within his party to include new tax cuts and rollbacks to entitlement programs.

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What they’re saying

“We're putting some things as we go along, but you know you've heard the expression 'we want to keep it sort of slim,' because we want to make sure that I have the safest border in the history of our country.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The Senate is expected to move forward with the narrowly focused spending bill in the coming weeks, setting up a potential clash with House Republicans who want to see a broader package that addresses economic issues.

The takeaway

Trump's intervention highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party over how to approach the midterm elections, with the former president favoring a laser-focus on immigration enforcement while some in his party push for a more expansive legislative agenda to appeal to a broader range of voters.