The House Freedom Caucus is pressuring Republican leaders to push through a slate of conservative priorities before Democrats take control of Congress in January, setting up a high-stakes showdown in the final weeks of the GOP’s majority.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the hardline conservative group outlined an aggressive agenda that includes $1 trillion in spending cuts, tax relief, border security measures, and confirmation of remaining Trump-era judicial nominees.
Lame-Duck Policy Push
The caucus urged leadership to use the budget reconciliation process—which bypasses the Senate filibuster—to pass a package addressing debt, spending, and tax relief. They specifically called for expanding Health Savings Accounts and codifying short-term health insurance plans while warning against Democratic efforts to expand social programs.
‘Some of us called for action after our first reconciliation package to continue to support the American people,’ the letter stated. ‘Unfortunately, that agenda stalled, and now we will no longer have the majority in the next Congress.’
Border Security and Spending Cuts
Among the most contentious demands is a push to enact former President Trump’s border policies into law, including the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act and legislation banning sanctuary cities. The group also wants Congress to pass voter ID requirements and ban stock trading by government officials.
On spending, the caucus proposed freezing federal budgets at current levels through continuing resolutions rather than passing an omnibus package. They insisted any funding measures avoid ‘policy riders that divide us’ while allowing the administration to cut ‘wasteful, fraudulent, and abusive’ programs.
Race Against the Clock
The letter comes after Republicans suffered significant losses in the midterms, with analysts blaming the party’s failure to deliver on key campaign promises. Speaker Johnson has already announced he will step down from leadership, while Thune is vying to lead Senate Republicans in the minority.
‘We request that we not leave town until we accomplish these objectives,’ the letter concluded. ‘Every one of us—including those leaving Congress on January 3rd—should be committed to finishing the job.’
A Thune spokesperson confirmed that confirming remaining Trump nominees remains a ‘top priority,’ but did not comment on other Freedom Caucus demands. Johnson’s office had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Source: thefederalist.com — https://thefederalist.com/2026/11/09/freedom-caucus-demands-gop-leadership-pass-unfinished-agenda-before-dems-take-congress/