House Republicans Seek Path for Trump Agenda Amid War and Election Headwinds

GOP leaders hope Florida retreat will help forge unity as they push affordability measures ahead of midterms

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives will seek to advance President Donald Trump's legislative agenda at a Florida retreat this week, as war and rising costs put their fractious, paper-thin majority on the defensive ahead of November's midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican leadership team hope the warmth of Trump's Doral golf resort will help forge unity as they push proposals on housing, tariffs, tax cuts, and defense spending.

Why it matters

With a narrow 218-214 majority, House Republicans face challenges in advancing Trump's agenda, including opposition from deficit hawks and Democrats. Affordability issues like healthcare and housing are top concerns for voters, and Republicans are looking to use budget reconciliation to bypass Democratic opposition in the Senate.

The details

House Republican leaders plan to discuss proposals on housing, Trump's tariffs, new tax cuts, and increased defense spending at the Florida retreat. They hope to use budget reconciliation, a parliamentary tool that allows legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, to advance their agenda. However, some Senate Republicans are concerned that another reconciliation bill could expose party divisions and give Democrats opportunities to force politically sensitive votes.

  • The House Republican retreat is taking place this week at Trump's Doral golf resort in Florida.
  • President Trump is scheduled to speak to the group on Monday.

The players

Mike Johnson

House Speaker and leader of the House Republican majority.

Steve Scalise

House Majority Leader and the second-highest ranking House Republican.

Jodey Arrington

Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

James Lankford

Vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic leader.

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What they’re saying

“There's still things we want to do this year with this majority to work with President Trump to make life more affordable for American families.”

— Steve Scalise, House Majority Leader (ksgf.com)

“To put the gear into neutral and coast, legislatively, with no commitment to further action would be governing malpractice.”

— Jodey Arrington, House Budget Committee Chairman (ksgf.com)

“The goal is not to have reconciliation. The goal is to solve a policy issue.”

— James Lankford, Vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference (ksgf.com)

“Let's have the debate about how taxpayer dollars are being wasted right now – billions spent to bomb the Middle East, triggering an all-out war that now involves more than a dozen countries, as opposed to Republicans bothering to find a dime to lower grocery prices or make life better for the American people.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader (ksgf.com)

What’s next

House Republican leaders hope to forge consensus on their legislative agenda at the Florida retreat, with plans to potentially use budget reconciliation to advance their proposals despite Democratic opposition.

The takeaway

House Republicans face a challenging political landscape as they seek to advance President Trump's agenda amid a narrow majority, rising costs, and an impending midterm election. Their ability to find unity and compromise will be crucial in determining their legislative success in the coming months.