Johnson and Thune’s narrowing of megabill to immigration risks leaving GOP without midterm election agenda

Published April 3, 2026 6:00am ET



Republicans are set to use their biggest pre-midterm election messaging vehicle on one of their narrowest priorities yet: a party-line spending bill focused on immigration enforcement after Democrats forced their hand in a bruising standoff.

The move is expected to eat up valuable floor time in Congress, squeezing Republicans’ ability to pass election-year priorities before November, including tax cuts, broader spending packages, and a separate bill to fund the Iran conflict.

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