House GOP plotting third reconciliation bill focused on fraud and affordability

Arrington added Republicans want to “double down on broad fraud prevention,” and that Democrats won’t help in getting any defense supplemental across the finish line for the war in Iran.

A reconciliation blueprint was unveiled early this year by Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) that aims to save $1.6 trillion. Housing affordability, healthcare, and energy are the crux of the framework, which have already shaped up to be major factors in the 2026 elections.

“I still think it involves a lot of the framework that we provided, which is affordability on housing, energy, and healthcare. But also I think most of our conference, and especially after listening to Attorney General [Todd] Blanche today and previous speakers like Dr. Oz, we want to tackle fraud,” Pfluger told the Washington Examiner after the RSC’s weekly luncheon on Wednesday. 

While House leadership has indicated they want to move full steam ahead, setting their sights on passage by the end of July. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has poured cold water on the idea, as the second reconciliation bill has yet to pass.

“I can’t — if they’re telling you that’s what their schedule is — but we’re still working on reconciliation 2.0,” Thune told reporters. 

Thune isn’t the only one expressing doubt. A senior GOP aide told the Washington Examiner that a third reconciliation bill is merely a “pipe dream.”

All of this comes as congressional Republicans are in a monthlong sprint to craft a funding deal providing up to $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its sister agency, Customs and Border Protection, through the reconciliation process. President Donald Trump has said he wants the measure on his desk by June 1.

As the funding bill works through the process in the upper chamber, Pfluger and House leadership look forward with high hopes. 

“Who knows better than the Senate that the obstruction that Democrats are willing to go to to stand in the way of good legislation,” said Pfluger. “We’re going to pass a good bill over here, and I anticipate they will pass it in the Senate.”

While Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has pledged that a third reconciliation bill will come to fruition to encompass the GOP’s midterm priorities, he faces an uphill battle amid slim margins and the approaching November elections.