Trump Pushes GOP to Use Reconciliation for Second Tax Cut Bill

Speaker Johnson faces challenges in passing another partisan package through a narrow House majority

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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President Trump used his State of the Union address to promote GOP legislation that is likely to face resistance from Democrats, putting pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to pursue a second reconciliation package to pass new tax cuts and other policies with only Republican votes. However, Johnson may have a narrow window to advance Trump's agenda as the president's party historically suffers losses in midterm elections. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested Republicans could use reconciliation to pass a new retirement savings proposal unveiled by Trump.

Why it matters

Reconciliation is a special process that allows a party with unified control of Washington to bypass the Senate filibuster, giving them a major opportunity to move legislation that couldn't pass otherwise. But advancing another reconciliation package would be a heavy lift for Johnson, who had struggled to push Trump's first-year agenda across the finish line and would likely face even stronger headwinds in an election year.

The details

Trump did not mention a second reconciliation package explicitly in his speech, but he repeatedly highlighted the tax cuts enacted in his One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year. Shortly before the speech, Trump told news anchors that he wants new personal and corporate tax cuts this year and wants to use reconciliation to pass them. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested Republicans could use reconciliation to advance a new retirement proposal that Trump unveiled. However, even House Republicans concede the path forward would be fraught with challenges given the narrow GOP majority in the House.

  • On Tuesday, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address.
  • In January, the Republican Study Committee unveiled a framework for a second reconciliation package.

The players

Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House, who is facing challenges in passing another partisan reconciliation package through a narrow House majority.

Scott Bessent

The Treasury Secretary, who suggested Republicans could use reconciliation to advance a new retirement proposal unveiled by President Trump.

Thomas Massie

A conservative Republican Congressman from Kentucky who is considered a likely "no" vote on any new reconciliation package.

Dusty Johnson

A Republican Congressman from South Dakota who acknowledged the challenges of securing enough votes for a second reconciliation package.

Brian Fitzpatrick

A Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania who voted against Trump's previous reconciliation bill and is not a fan of single-party bills.

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What they’re saying

“We can do it through reconciliation. This is the president coming back for working Americans — those who have been left behind.”

— Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary (NBC News)

“Obviously, the math governs what happens around here. It does any deliberative body. And so, the question will be, can you secure 218 votes and 51 votes to bend the arc of health care toward affordability and quality?”

— Dusty Johnson, Republican Congressman (The Hill)

“I've voted against multiple reconciliation bills, both Democrat and Republican. I'm not a fan of single-party bills.”

— Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican Congressman (The Hill)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.