Members of the conservative caucus laid out their demands in a statement calling for an initial bill that would fund border security, reverse key Biden administration policies to cut spending, and increase the debt limit by approximately $4 trillion — leaving room for a second bill that would deal with tax cuts at a later date.

The proposal stands in conflict with Trump’s preference for “one big, beautiful bill.” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other House Republicans have also settled on the single-bill approach, with the goal of sending it to Trump’s desk by Memorial Day.

WHAT REPUBLICANS PLAN FOR DC WITH TRIFECTA CONTROL

“Our proposal is a Republican plan that we believe can reach 218 votes, that would also allow us to keep the ball on the Republican side of the negotiating field for defense and non-defense appropriations — while delivering wins and uniting the conference,” Freedom Caucus members wrote on Thursday.

The caucus left the door open to further negotiations, noting it would “stand ready to consider any proposal.” Members also vowed to work with colleagues to negotiate spending cuts to result in a deficit reduction “be it one bill or two.” 

The group is pushing for a number of Biden administration policy reversals, specifically the elimination of the electric vehicle mandate, funding for the Internal Revenue Service, student loan relief, and more. By doing that, the Freedom Caucus projected that Congress could cut spending by up to $541 billion. 

The group also used the memo to outline the priorities it wants included in the first bill, including $200 billion to $300 billion for national security funding over the next four years. That amount would be split between border security, such as wall funding and money for Border Patrol agents, and modernizing U.S. defense systems. 

“But we must not waste a single legislative day — and the rapid adoption of an approach such as this would accomplish many of our most important objectives quickly,” the group wrote. “The American people do not want to wait.” 

GOP leaders have disagreed over what is the most efficient path forward on budget reconciliation, a rare procedural tool that would allow Republicans to circumvent Democratic opposition in the Senate to advance key agenda items. Republicans in the House have pushed for a one-bill strategy to combine all legislative priorities into one massive package, while those in the Senate have suggested it would be better to split priorities into two bills. 

Although Trump has pushed for a one-bill pathway, he has acknowledged he would endorse whatever strategy can get the most Republicans on board and quickly advance his agenda.