Congressional Republicans are uncertain about the best path forward now that the deadline for increasing the nation’s debt ceiling is approaching faster than expected.

Lawmakers had expected that a hike to the debt limit wouldn’t be needed until later this year. But due to revenue falling short of expectations, the Trump administration now says it might exhaust its “extraordinary measures” to avoid default by late summer.

In the past, Republicans have sought policy concessions for an increase in the debt limit. But it remains to be seen whether they will pursue that same strategy now that they control both chambers of Congress and the White House.

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“I think it’s going to be complicated, given the other things we have to do, to try and attach a lot of policy to the debt limit,” said Sen. John Thune John Randolph ThuneWhite House pleads with Senate GOP on emergency declaration Overnight Energy: McConnell plans Green New Deal vote before August recess | EPA official grilled over enforcement numbers | Green group challenges Trump over Utah pipelines McConnell plans vote on Green New Deal before August recess MORE (S.D.), the No. 3 Republican in the Senate and a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

“We’re going to have budget, debt ceiling, tax reform, a whole bunch of things sort of hitting at the same time.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has urged lawmakers to pass a “clean” increase in the debt ceiling — essentially new borrowing authority with no strings attached — before they leave town in August for a five-week recess.

Failure to pass an increase, the administration says, would result in the first-ever U.S. default on its debt, which could send borrowing costs booming and potentially ignite a financial firestorm.

Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanBrexit and exit: A transatlantic comparison Five takeaways from McCabe’s allegations against Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report: Sanders set to shake up 2020 race MORE (R-Wis.) said the timetable for debt ceiling would move up, given the administration’s latest warnings.

“We're going to be talking with our members and with the administration on how to resolve the debt ceiling,” he said.

But an increase in the debt limit is no easy task, threatening to stoke division in the GOP.

Conservatives have in the past demanded concessions in return for an increase to the borrowing limit, most notably during a dramatic standoff in 2011 that resulted in the first-ever downgrade of U.S. debt.

Many conservatives remain skeptical that the nation will default and appear poised to again seek new curbs on federal spending in return for a debt increase.

While the administration is urging action without politics, the Freedom Caucus has come out against a “clean lift,” potentially complicating Ryan’s decision on how to advance legislation in the House.

If conservatives demand concessions in return for a debt hike, Ryan could face a choice that often bedeviled his predecessor, Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerEx-GOP lawmaker joins marijuana trade group Crowley, Shuster moving to K Street On unilateral executive action, Mitch McConnell was right — in 2014 MORE (R-Ohio): whether to work with Democrats on a “clean” hike or work with conservatives to pass legislation on a party-line vote.

The uncertainty about the next steps was heightened by the Trump administration’s sudden adjustment to its timeline. Many lawmakers seemed caught off guard.

When asked his approach to the debt ceiling, Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchThe FDA crackdown on dietary supplements is inadequate Orrin Hatch Foundation seeking million in taxpayer money to fund new center in his honor Mitch McConnell has shown the nation his version of power grab MORE (R-Utah), who heads the Senate Finance Committee, said, “I haven’t thought about it.” Another Finance Committee member, Sen. Tim Scott Timothy (Tim) Eugene ScottSenate confirms Trump court pick despite missing two 'blue slips' Senate reignites blue slip war over Trump court picks Senate approves border bill that prevents shutdown MORE (R-S.C.), said he simply didn’t know what the approach should be.

Thune said he wasn’t sure if Republicans would coalesce around a specific spending reform or simply agree to a clean lift, which could require Democratic votes.

Sen. Mike Enzi Michael (Mike) Bradley EnziWill Senate GOP try to pass a budget this year? Presumptive benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans are a major win If single payer were really a bargain, supporters like Rep. John Yarmuth would be upfront about its cost MORE (R-Wyo.), who heads the Senate Budget Committee and is also a member of the Finance Committee, suggested lawmakers could use the debt ceiling bill to revive an overhaul of the budgeting process that both parties have supported.

“Last year we held 13 hearings on budget reform and seemed to have a pretty good path towards bipartisan changes that would make the budget more responsible for the country,” he said.

The effort fell apart, he added, because the Budget Committee’s ranking member, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernard (Bernie) SandersSenate Dems seek to turn tables on GOP in climate change fight Bernie Sanders Town Hall finishes third in cable news race, draws 1.4 million viewers Woman to undecided Biden: 'Just say yes' to 2020 bid MORE (I-Vt.), was not included in the process due to his presidential campaign schedule and did not sign off on the plans.

“So we weren’t able to move forward with those, but I’m hoping that a good many of those, that both sides believe in, will be a part of some incentive for changing the debt ceiling,” Enzi said.

Democrats, who during the Obama administration urged Republicans to support drama-free debt ceiling hikes, are mulling whether to take advantage of the moment and press Republicans for concessions of their own.