Ivey Backs Trump’s $95 Billion Budget As Senate Fight Begins
Gov. Ivey has joined 22 other Republican governors in signing a letter to President Trump supporting his controversial $95 billion budget. The letter called for the Senate to adopt the budget resolution as a “crucial first step” to unlock the reconciliation process whereby Senate Republicans could pass the spending bill without Democratic votes.
The problem is there is no unanimity among Senate Republicans on the bill. Some want to see more money added to defense spending, others favor budget offsets that help “offset” the cost of new spending, while others think the filibuster-proof process will make it difficult to pass without some Democrat support.
The letter claims, "This resolution is a crucial first step to protect America’s elections, strengthen America’s national defense, and support American farmers."
Perhaps the most controversial part of the budget is "The SAVE America Act." Backed strongly by President Trump, the governors underscored their support, "The shocking revelation that hundreds of thousands of ineligible individuals were found to be on voter rolls across the United States only underscores the urgency of this effort."
The future of the budget is murky at best since it has little prospect of receiving enough votes to pass in the upper chamber. One possible tactic is for Republicans to use the reconciliation process to enact at least parts of the act.
Alabama's House Delegation joined the full lower chamber in voting 100% down party lines last week. to pass the package on a 216–214.
In the Senate neither of Alabama's Senators Katie Britt or Tommy Tuberville have directly supported or opposed the budget publicly. However, both have been aligned with Trump’s fiscal and infrastructure priorities in the past.
Senate Republican leaders say they do not presently have enough votes for passage.
