WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans cleared an early hurdle on Thursday in their attempt to pass a major tax overhaul, after the Senate approved a budget resolution for the 2018 fiscal year.

The vote sets the stage for what could be a wild ride of tax debate over the next few months, which Republican leaders hope will end with President Trump signing a bill into law by Christmas. The big question is whether their ambitions can survive a winding road of hearings and votes.

It will be a difficult task, particularly in the Senate, where Republicans can afford to lose only two votes from their ranks to pass a bill along party lines.

Here is a look at the path ahead.

How quickly can the House and Senate agree on a budget?

House and Senate Republicans have each approved budgets — but they differ in some big ways, most notably over how much a tax bill would be allowed to increase budget deficits over the next decade.