Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday that the Senate Budget Committee will "expeditiously move" to create a second budget reconciliation bill "to make sure there is adequate funding to secure our homeland."
Graham, who chairs the committee, said the effort follows consultations with President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other Republican leaders as the GOP looks to advance key national security priorities without relying on Democrat support.
"The number one priority of the federal government has always been keeping our homeland safe and keeping our enemies at bay," Graham said in a statement. "More funding will mean they can complete the task assigned and keep America safe — which is money well spent."
Republicans are increasingly turning to the budget reconciliation process, which allows legislation to pass with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
That strategy could prove critical in a sharply divided Congress, where Democrats have opposed additional funding for immigration enforcement and certain defense initiatives.
According to reports, the proposed legislation would prioritize bolstering homeland security, expanding resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and strengthening the U.S. military as global tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, continue to rise.
Graham also signaled the bill could include election integrity measures, including provisions tied to the SAVE America Act, which would encourage voter ID requirements and other safeguards aimed at ensuring fair and secure elections.
"President Trump and Leader Thune are right to push for a second reconciliation bill to address the threats we face and keep our elections secure and fair," Graham said.
The push comes as Republicans look to build on earlier legislative wins, including a major reconciliation package that authorized significant defense spending.
The Pentagon has already outlined plans to allocate roughly $150 billion from that bill, but GOP leaders argue additional funding is needed to meet evolving threats.
Still, the effort faces potential hurdles.
With narrow Republican majorities in both chambers, some GOP lawmakers have expressed skepticism about advancing another sweeping reconciliation package.
Questions also remain about whether controversial provisions, particularly those related to election law, could complicate passage.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has indicated strong interest in pursuing the measure.
"The odds would be like 100%," Johnson told Politico of bringing a bill forward. "Now, do we pass it?"
Despite the challenges, the White House has embraced reconciliation as a powerful tool to enact policy priorities, with administration officials describing it as a "paradigm shift" for advancing conservative goals in the face of Democrat resistance.
"I intend to deliver," Graham said, underscoring the GOP's commitment to moving the legislation forward.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.