Thune-Trump tensions escalate as clock ticks on megabill 3.0

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told the White House that Republicans don't have the votes for a three-part budget measure on military spending, farm aid, and election security — but President Trump says they do. Trump told reporters he'd find out whether the votes are there; when asked about Trump's confidence, Thune replied, 'That must be a different form of math.' Earlier that day, the White House pressed Senate Republicans at their weekly lunch to pass the bill before leaving town, though many members are reluctant to endure the marathon amendment process that comes with such legislation, per Axios. Despite the public clash weeks before the midterms, Thune still commands broad support within his conference and plans to attend Trump's political convention in September.

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