President-elect Donald Trump dialed in to what was described as a “love fest” Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they begin laying the groundwork for control of government in the new year, and a potential first-30-days agenda.
Trump’s brief call was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those attending the private GOP retreat, encouraging the senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities.
“It was a love fest,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “There was a real sense of unity in the room.”
The virtual visit comes as Congress is finishing up the final weeks of what, by most measures, has been among the more chaotic sessions in modern times. With the full sweep of party control, Republicans are eager to do better next year with Trump’s return to the White House.
Republicans want to notch an early accomplishment in the first 30 days after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20.
Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota outlined a potential roadmap ahead during the private retreat at the Library of Congress.
Thune detailed a potential two-part strategy that would have senators working on an initial legislative package — energy, border security and defense priorities — that could be approved in the first 30 days of the new administration.
Next, Thune explained that the senators would turn to tax cuts — reviving the expiring tax cuts from Trump’s first term — which is expected to take longer, dragging into the year.
The new Congress convenes Jan. 3, when lawmakers are sworn into office, and the Senate expects to quickly begin holding confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet nominees — some of whom are already running into resistance.
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