Graham defends Senate budget resolution amid Trump opposition: 'Complete game changer'

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) defended the Senate's budget resolution, which rolled in during the wee hours of Friday morning and involves a two-track process instead of the one large spending bill proposed by President Trump.

“This budget resolution is a complete game changer when it comes to securing our border and making our military more lethal. It will allow President Trump to fulfill the promises he made to the American people — a very big deal,” Graham said in a Friday statement lauding the text.

He commended his GOP colleagues for their “discipline” in adopting a framework that he said would be the “most transformational border security bill in history.”

The $340 billion resolution carves out $175 billion for border operations and immigration enforcement, in addition to $150 billion in defense spending.

Graham made it clear that the funding bill only outlines a spending number but does not direct how money will be spent. Notably, it does not feature the tax portion of Trump’s agenda, which Senate Republicans hope to pass later in the year.

“I hope the House can pass one big bill that meets President Trump’s priorities. But this approach provides money that we needed yesterday to continue the momentum on securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and rebuilding our military,” the Senate Budget Committee chairman wrote.

“Time is of the essence.”

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