Marlin Stutzman

President Donald Trump and Republican senators "yelling back and forth" over their legislative priorities was "OK" and "a good process," Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., told Newsmax on Thursday.

Appearing on "Wake Up America" with co-hosts Marc Lotter and Kenzie Beach, Stutzman defended Trump's forceful push for Senate Republicans to prioritize the SAVE America Act, saying the president was making clear what matters most to his administration.

"What we heard was there was some yelling back and forth, but that's OK. That's a good process," Stutzman said. "He needed to communicate what he felt were priorities to the Senate Republicans. And there were some Senate Republicans that had to probably vent back."

Trump reportedly told Senate Republicans during a closed-door lunch Wednesday that he would not sign a bipartisan housing package unless Congress advances the SAVE America Act — legislation that has already passed the House but faces long odds in the Senate because of Democrat opposition and the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

Stutzman said Trump is demonstrating he is "very serious" about the legislation and suggested the president's frustration also stems from recent Senate votes involving presidential war powers.

"It's just one of those weeks in Washington where the president has said he's drawing a line," Stutzman said. "I think it's important for him to do so."

While backing Trump's negotiating strategy, Stutzman expressed confidence the bipartisan housing bill ultimately will become law.

"I am confident [it] will become law sooner or later, hopefully, with the president's signature," Stutzman said, pointing to provisions addressing housing affordability and restrictions on institutional investors purchasing single-family homes.

Asked whether he would vote to override a potential presidential veto, Stutzman declined to speculate, saying he would first want to hear Trump's reasoning if that scenario arises.

"We want to work together and stick together as a team, as Republicans and the president's leadership," he said. "He just consistently shows that he is on the right path."

Stutzman also urged Senate Republicans to continue advancing a third reconciliation package, arguing the budget process offers a path around the Senate filibuster for key Republican priorities.

Stutzman said another reconciliation bill could include additional defense funding, renewed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, and measures aimed at eliminating government waste, fraud, and abuse.

"I think it's important that Republicans continue to move forward and show the American people we're here to clean up government and also make sure that the country is safe," he said.

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