House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Newsmax Monday that the raising of the debt ceiling would be part the reconciliation package the lawmakers will work on in the two week period leading up to Donald Trump’s inaugural.

In June 2023, at a price of $31.6 trillion, the debt ceiling was suspended. The deal was negotiated by the former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden. The suspension ended on Jan. 1. With the national debt at $36.3 trillion and the suspension ending, it is necessary to raise the ceiling to avoid the government defaulting on loans.

Johnson said that “the debt limit is likely to be involved, not because we wish to spend more but to show the bond market, the stock exchange, and everyone else that we will pay our obligations.”

Trump said on Sunday that he would tackle border security, tax cuts, and energy policy all in one package. However, a day later, he stated his priority was to pass his agenda, even if this meant multiple bills.

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Johnson said that the best way to pass a package is through reconciliation, as it prevents Senate Democrats from blocking a vote on the floor by using a filibuster.

Johnson explained that the reason why we use reconciliation, and the reason that we are so excited about it, is that it allows us to avoid the 60-vote threshold that is normally required in the Senate. The reconciliation package includes a number of important priorities. You heard the President himself… he said we would do border security, energy, tax, and many other things in one beautiful, big bill. The House prefers this. “The Senate has a slightly different view, but we will work with our colleagues to accomplish this important mission for the nation.”

Johnson stated that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is one of Trump’s biggest accomplishments. The act expires at the end of the year.

Johnson stated that “this is an urgent matter of high priority for us” and “we’ll get this done.”

Johnson also mentioned border security as a priority.

Johnson stated that this was one of the most important factors in the outcome of the election. “[Trump] talked about securing the border as a common sense matter. It is long overdue, and an emergency situation exists. We must secure the border and then deal with the millions of dangerous people who have been allowed to enter over the past four years. This is what President Trump says about deportations and repatriation programs. It’s going be expensive and difficult. We must do this to protect our homeland. The American people deserve and demand that. It’s been a long time coming.”