Tim Scott is ‘agnostic’ on reconciliation debate, says ‘consequences’ matter most
FIRST ON FOX: National Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, RS.C., is tight-lipped on the details of how Republicans filed important legislation during the critical budget reconciliation process before sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk.
“I think for us, the results are more important than the process,” he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview after a meeting between House and Senate GOP leaders.
“And if that requires us to have border security, tax reform, deportations — anything that can fit in a pocket or multiple pockets — we have to produce results for the people,” he explained.
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Sen. Tim Scott is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 2026 cycle. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
An advantage of the budget reconciliation process is that the threshold for ending debate in the Senate is lower, allowing Republicans to defeat a legislative filibuster by supporting their congressional 60 votes. However, the use of the procedure is limited and must not include what is considered “foreign arrangements.”
Scott is “agnostic about the process,” he said. This is a different attitude than the Republican leaders in the House, who have been insisting that they fit everything into one measure.
The South Carolina Republican joined other members of the Senate GOP leadership and his House colleagues in a meeting with Trump on Tuesday.
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Republicans are not on the same page yet on budget reconciliation. (Reuters)
According to him, “We had no intention of reaching a reconciliation agreement,” despite reports that some form of reconciliation had been agreed upon. “I would consider it as the first meeting, an opportunity for us to see that President Trump is the visionary leader we need.”
He agreed to discuss budget reconciliation, “but the important thing was that the goal was achieved to create a one-party approach to the problems that we have to solve for the American people. And President Trump made it clear that this is not about us. .”
When asked if that means the reconciliation process hasn’t been decided or could change, Scott said, “I would think it depends on who you talk to.”
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Sen. Tim Scott, center, and other GOP leaders met with President Donald Trump, left, on Tuesday. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He also pointed out that House Republican leaders have emphasized “the importance of one big positive bill.”
“I think the House sees a way for one big, good bill to become law and that they have the votes for that. That’s their goal.”
However, Scott said, “I think we’re still open to finding a way to win,” whether it’s one building or two.
Most Republicans in the Senate supported their overall choice to create two separate budget reconciliation bills, one addressing the border and the other dealing with taxes.
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The US Capitol Building. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
As for whether these joint meetings with Republican leaders and the president will become routine, Scott said, “I hope so.”
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“I think one of the things that we should appreciate the most about President Trump is that he wants results. And that means that we all have to hear the same thing, as often as possible, at the same time, so that there is no difference. in our understanding there is no light between us.
It’s unclear what the reconciliation bill or bills will look like, but the South Carolina senator said the president wants to do it as soon as possible.
