U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) said on Tuesday that House Republicans should defer to President Donald Trump when it comes to passing legislation to fulfill his campaign promises, despite her colleagues on the House Freedom Caucus outlining its own plan for passing a Republican agenda.
Harshbarger made the remarks during a Tuesday appearance on “The John Fredericks Show,” stating that Congress must “get to work,” as it has “a very short amount of time,” to pass legislation before politicians will look toward the 2026 midterm elections.
After host John Fredericks, who publishes The Virginia Star, The Georgia Star and The Pennsylvania Daily Star, noted that the Freedom Caucus released a statement urging Republicans to focus on passing two packages of legislation, Harshbarger said the matter should be decided by the president.
“I didn’t sign the statement, because I’m like, it’s whatever President Trump wants to do. They better focus on either one or two,” Harshbarger told Fredericks. She later added, “Whatever he wants is what we’ll do.”
The Tennessee Republican said there are valid points both for and against pursuing one large bill, which includes funding for the border security, extends tax cuts, and accomplishes Trump’s other goals, versus two smaller bills.
“I understand where the two bills process comes in, but they’re afraid that they can’t get the second bill passed,” said Harshbarger. “There’s still a lot to be talked about. We had fun yesterday, we started the new golden age, but now we’ve got to get down to business.”
While she may differ from the Freedom Caucus on the legislative strategy for Trump’s first weeks in office, she told Fredericks she stood with her caucus on another issue.
Harshbarger confirmed, “If you’re going to cut taxes, you’ve got to cut spending. That’s where we’re at right now.”
Her comments come after Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) told Fredericks last week that Republicans should “bank some wins” before working on large bills to achieve their remaining priorities.
Bank some wins on the border, get some things done quickly that we can get done, and then try to get the harder stuff done a little bit later. There are people who legitimately point out, maybe you never get that done. That’s a risk,” Griffith acknowledged.
Trump recently stated that he prefers “one big, beautiful bill,” and said that he would “live with” the legislation taking longer to pass as a consequence of its side.
Still, the newly inaugurated president added, “I’m open to either way as long as we get something passed as quickly as possible.”
Watch Harshbarger’s full appearance on “The John Fredericks Show”:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rep. Diana Harshbarger” by Rep. Diana Harshbarger and “U.S. Capitol” by Andy Feliciotti.
Just a reminder to the House and Senate. President Trump did not elect you, We The People did! We did not vote for one large bill to replace the one large bill we fought against, that should have cost MJ the Speakership. We voted for single subject bills and appropriation bills.
Maybe, and I’m just spit balling here, maybe don’t take the summer off this year and instead stay and do the job we sent you to do! Those of us in the real world get about one – four weeks off per year at most. You’d be amazed at the results if you all would just show up for work at the office. :/