WASHINGTON D.C. — House Republicans are pursuing a third round of budget reconciliation for a $95 billion package. The $95 billion reconciliation package would fund the Iran war, farm aid, and voter ID measures.

This legislative effort comes as the fiscal 2027 government funding deadline approaches on September 30. House Speaker Mike Johnson is preparing a short-term funding extension into December for House consideration to address the looming deadline.

The proposed budget blueprint allocates specific funding across several key committees. The House budget blueprint includes $60 billion for the House Armed Services Committee. Another significant portion directs $13 billion for the Intelligence Committee. Additionally, the House budget blueprint includes $10 billion for the Administration Committee.

Molly Reynolds, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at Brookings, noted the unusual nature of these allocations. "Including the Intelligence Committee in reconciliation instructions is a first," she said. She observed broader trends in how Congress handles its fiscal responsibilities.

"The appropriation process is buckling under the weight of political conflicts between Congress and the president," she said. She added that the mechanism is shifting in its application. "Reconciliation is turning into a way to solve particular political problems for the majority party," she said.

Senate leadership has expressed reservations about the current approach. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the reconciliation path as "very uneven." Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins and ranking member Patty Murray have not reached an agreement on top-line spending limits for fiscal 2027. Collins advocated for traditional legislative methods. "Congress should work through the normal appropriations process rather than using reconciliation," Collins said.

Legislative hurdles have already emerged in the upper chamber. Senators failed to muster 60 votes to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act last week. This failure shows the difficulties in passing major defense and policy bills through standard procedures.

The Budget Act of 1974 allows for fast-track consideration of proposals to align spending, revenue, and debt with budget targets. This legislative tool has been utilized by both major parties in recent years. Republicans used budget reconciliation earlier in 2026 to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats used budget reconciliation during the Biden administration to pass priorities including COVID-19 relief money.

The use of reconciliation for this package marks the third time Republicans have employed the tactic in 2026. The inclusion of war funding and domestic policy measures like voter ID in a single budget vehicle illustrates the expanding scope of the process. With the regular appropriations process stalled by disagreements between committee leaders, reconciliation offers a pathway that avoids the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

The failure to advance the National Defense Authorization Act through regular order reflects the gridlock facing Congress. As the September 30 deadline nears, the short-term extension prepared by Speaker Johnson may serve as a temporary bridge. However, the reliance on reconciliation for core government functions signals a continued departure from standard appropriations procedures.