House Republicans are heading to President Donald Trump’s Miami-area resort for their annual policy retreat. But, don’t be fooled by the sunny weather—it’s not the vacation vibes that they’re after. Speaker Mike Johnson and the GOP members are gearing up for some crucial discussions over the next few days that could determine whether Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda gets off the ground before the 2026 midterm elections. And, let’s face it, they’re already running behind schedule.
The key task for the retreat at Trump National Doral is to finalize a blueprint for the party’s budget, a massive, party-line bill that touches everything from energy and border security to tax policies. But there's a catch—the Republicans are going to need to decide exactly what will make it into that package, which could hit a staggering $10 trillion over the next decade. Then, they’ll need to figure out what parts of the plan might be better suited for a separate, bipartisan government funding bill that will be negotiated with the Democrats over the next several weeks. The fate of a necessary debt ceiling increase is also front and center on their minds. Talk about high stakes!
For weeks now, Johnson has been quietly gathering feedback from GOP members, engaging in private debates with party leaders on the best path forward. But time is ticking, and House Republicans are starting to grow impatient, eager to know what the game plan is. “We need to have a sense of urgency with the debt ceiling coming,” said Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus. “I hope there are options at this point.”
As the clock ticks down, the stakes are getting higher for Republicans to come together on a plan. The House Budget Committee is gearing up to take up the fiscal blueprint for the GOP agenda when lawmakers return to Washington next week. But here’s the thing: to unlock the budget reconciliation process that would allow Republicans to bypass a filibuster from the Democrats, they need to adopt an identical blueprint in both the House and the Senate. Talk about a complex dance.
It seems Johnson isn’t wasting any time. Last week, he hinted that he’ll be presenting more detailed plans to GOP members and discussing the reconciliation package, government funding for fiscal 2025, debt-limit hikes, California wildfire aid, border security funding, and possibly a bipartisan deal with Democrats that could help solve some of these puzzles. “We’re looking at all options,” Johnson said, keeping the possibilities wide open, though no hard decisions have been made yet.
But here's the kicker—many Republicans are skeptical that they’ll walk away from the retreat with concrete plans. There were even initial rumors that some GOP members were planning to skip the retreat to go on an official trip to Africa, but those plans were scrapped, according to anonymous sources. This only adds to the feeling that the retreat might not be as productive as hoped. However, the planned discussions are expected to show members the potential paths forward, while also gauging their positions on potential spending cuts. With the party’s factions so divided, GOP leaders will have to find a careful balance between competing interests.
During the retreat, committee chairs will present their proposals for the reconciliation package, and members will have the opportunity to ask questions in a series of breakout sessions. Then, on Wednesday morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and the committee chairs will lead a plenary session to discuss the reconciliation process. After that, it’s back to the airport for a fast exit, just before noon.
“We need to figure out what’s doable, and then we start working on the legislative language,” said Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.). “In my world, there’s some, ‘All right, this can be part of reconciliation, this can’t be part.’” It sounds like quite the puzzle, doesn’t it? But that’s what’s at stake here: a massive, far-reaching legislative package that will shape the party’s future.
And let’s not forget the most exciting part: Trump will address the retreat on Monday night. “That will certainly be a highlight for us,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), head of the party campaign committee. Trump’s presence is sure to electrify the room. “He’s fun to be around,” Hudson added, noting that retreats like these allow Republicans to “get together away from all the chaos” in Washington. But this retreat isn’t just about some good times—it’s about getting the hard work done.
“This one is particularly important because we have to hammer out what our plan is on reconciliation,” Hudson said. “So, I’m hopeful we can get to a point where we can all agree and get ready to get back here and go to work.” It’s not just another GOP gathering. This is the opportunity for the party to unite and make sure that they are on the same page as they move forward.
These retreats can serve as more than just team-building exercises—they can also function as early-warning systems for any potential threats to the party’s agenda. Remember when Republicans gathered in Philadelphia eight years ago? They were plotting their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a more conservative alternative. One session was secretly recorded, and it revealed a lot of anxiety among GOP members about how the plan was being handled. Seven months later, the health care overhaul attempt collapsed when the party couldn’t find common ground. That led to a pivot towards a tax cut package—one that the GOP is now looking to renew.
This year, it doesn’t seem like there are any fundamental objections to the core agenda items, but there are plenty of disagreements on how to pay for the massive bill that’s in the works. For instance, Republicans on the Armed Services Committee have raised concerns about Guthrie’s proposal to restore the spectrum auction authority of the Federal Communications Commission. They want to balance the promise of advanced wireless technology with military needs—a tough balancing act.
Moreover, some Republicans on Johnson’s right flank are demanding trillions of dollars in spending cuts. Others worry that the massive single-bill approach could delay progress or even cause the entire package to implode. “I was kind of in favor, honestly, of doing two separate bills. I think that would have been the way to play this,” said Moore, suggesting that a more measured approach might work better.
And then, of course, there are the centrists. They’re voicing concerns about some committees’ plans to target parts of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to over 40 million low-income Americans. Some Republicans are pushing to enact Medicaid work requirements for the first time and add additional work requirements for parents with children over 7 years old. These proposals are more politically palatable for GOP lawmakers in competitive districts but still divisive. In fact, they could provide major campaign fodder for Democrats in blue and purple districts as they head into the 2026 midterms.
With all these hurdles in play, the retreat is a critical moment for Republicans to solidify their strategy and ensure that they’re ready to move forward with a unified plan. The next few days will be a decisive turning point for the GOP as they navigate their path to 2026, and everything from the budget to the debt ceiling could depend on the decisions made at Trump’s Doral resort.
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