In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune is battling holdouts in his party over the size and scope of a reconciliation bill, a legislative tactic that could end the budget standoff.
Some senators want a broader bill, described as a bigger swing-for-the-fences bill, which includes passing the SAVE America Act that is supported by President Trump.
Lurking in the background is Republican concern that Democrats will turn out their base in November and flip control of the House or Senate, or both.
Appearing on the “Washington Watch” program, Sen. Jon Husted (pictured at left) was asked for his stance. He said a narrower reconciliation bill is the smarter path to take with the clock ticking on advancing a bill.
He also urged both sides to come together this week to get it done.
“The more you put into it, the harder that becomes to get accomplished,” he told show host Tony Perkins.
President Trump took a similar stance, too. His social media post on Wednesday, which praised Thune and Sen. Lindsey Graham, called on Republicans to "stick together and UNIFY to get this done."
Asked to describe the time frame, Husted predicted it could be accomplished by the end of the week.
Pressed for his stance on passing the SAVE America Act, which Perkins pointed out is important to conservatives, Husted recalled how he fought for and demanded voter I.D. as the Ohio secretary of state.
He also pointed out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed he supported voter I.D. but opposed an amendment introduced by Husted.
“Every single Democrat including Chuck Schumer, who told the media that he was with the American people on photo ID, when they actually had the chance to put their actions in words refused to do so,” the Ohio senator pointed out.
