WASHINGTON— House Republican leaders agreed during a recent retreat in Florida that they want to pursue a second budget reconciliation package this year, but major questions remain about what the legislation would include or how it would be financed, according to reporting from Punchbowl News.
The idea is being pushed most strongly by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has argued that Republicans should take advantage of the remaining months in the congressional calendar to move another fast-track bill, Punchbowl News reported.
But the proposal is facing skepticism inside the GOP leadership ranks. Several Republican leaders and lawmakers privately doubt the conference has the political cohesion needed to assemble another reconciliation measure, particularly given the party’s razor-thin one-vote majority in the House, Punchbowl News said.
There are also questions about whether the Senate would support a second reconciliation push this year, further complicating the strategy.
Some Republicans believe the party would be better served focusing on smaller, targeted bills that could help vulnerable incumbents heading into the election cycle, according to Punchbowl News.
Johnson, however, has indicated he is reluctant to abandon the effort. With roughly eight months remaining before Election Day, the Speaker has suggested Republicans still have time to advance another major legislative package.
Much of the discussion during the upcoming House Republican retreat in Doral, Fla., is expected to center on identifying policy priorities that could win broad support across the conference.
“We’ll finalize our Venn diagram and see what fits in the middle,” Johnson told Punchbowl News in an interview. “I’ve got some ideas but I don’t want to get out in front of that conversation.”
DCUC Responds
The Defense Credit Union Council moved quickly Friday, sending a letter to Senate and House leaders.
“I am writing to strongly urge you to ensure that this and any future legislation preserves credit unions’ longstanding federal tax-exempt status and maintains their appropriate regulatory treatment,” wrote DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak.
Stverak noted that DCUC’s position on these issues has been “clear and consistent: credit unions’ unique cooperative mission and record of service to military communities merit continued protection from harmful tax or regulatory changes. We ask for your leadership in upholding these protections as Congress considers the next budget package. For over ninety years, federal credit unions have been exempt from federal income tax in recognition of their special structure and public-service mission.”
“Credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives – they exist solely to serve their members, not to generate profits for shareholders. This tax status is not a loophole or subsidy; it is a well-founded policy choice that reflects the substantial public benefit credit unions provide,” continued Stverak. “Every dollar a credit union earns is reinvested into its community through lower loan rates, higher savings returns, and affordable financial services, rather than being paid out as dividends to investors.”
Stverak pointed out Congress itself reaffirmed the importance of this model in 1998 by passing the Credit Union Membership Access Act, underscoring that the rationale for credit unions’ tax exemption “remains as valid today as it was decades ago.”
“In short, the federal tax exemption for credit unions exists because these institutions earn it every day by fulfilling a special mission – including on our nation’s military bases and in veteran communities,” he stated. “We respectfully insist that this vital status be left intact in any upcoming budget legislation. Eliminating or curtailing the credit union tax exemption would not simply tax an industry – it would punish millions of working families, servicemembers, and small businesses who rely on credit unions for accessible, affordable financial services. DCUC has previously detailed the severe negative consequences that would result if this tax status were revoked.”
The credit union tax fight intensified last year as Congress started crafting major budget and tax legislation, searching for ways to offset its cost. The turning point came when a document circulated among House Republicans listed eliminating the credit union federal tax exemption as a potential way to help fund a reconciliation bill—an option estimated to generate roughly $30 billion over 10 years. The appearance of credit unions on a formal list of potential “pay fors” made clear the threat was real and helped trigger a full-scale advocacy response from the industry.
Simpson Addresses Potential Reconciliation Package
America's Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson addressed the development in a letter to ACU members, writing:
"We know that some members of Congress and some business are calling for additional tax reform this year, creating renewed risk of bankers attacking our tax status. Rest assured, America’s Credit Unions and the league system are vigilant against these threats.
"However, the path to another budget reconciliation is difficult. It is unlikely that the House has the votes to advance a bill, despite Speaker Mike Johnson indicating he’d like to move a package; House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith has said there’s limited support to do so. President Trump also recently told members of the press that it was unlikely to happen.
"Last year, Republicans had expiring tax cuts to hold them together with a common goal, which we do not face this year. And prior to a reconciliation bill, Congress must pass a budget resolution, meaning we will have advance notice of any potential tax legislation.
"We were successful in preserving credit unions’ tax status last year during the reconciliation process because we as a movement unified and put our political machinery into action. Credit unions, leagues, and America’s Credit Unions are relentless advocates.
"To unnecessarily raise alarm or launch action alerts at this time would be premature, and could cause more harm than good. We do not want to add oxygen to coals that are burning out.
"America’s Credit Unions and your leagues are closely engaged with high-ranking Administration officials and key members of Congress. Should a path to reconciliation emerge, we are ready."