Senate Republicans are expected to meet with incoming President Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the plans who were granted anonymity to discuss private matters.
Republicans are expected to use the meeting to talk with Trump about the party’s reconciliation strategy, as they look for clarity about if he wants to fold a massive energy, tax and border package into one bill or split it into two. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is expected to host the meeting, according to one of the people familiar.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told reporters earlier Monday that Senate Republicans would soon be meeting with Trump “and talk about what he’d like to have done.”
“We’re all heading in exactly the same direction where we want to get to,” Barrasso told reporters, though he declined to discuss any details of the planned meeting.
Various House Republicans are expected to go down to Mar-a-Lago for meetings on reconciliation priorities throughout the weekend.
Trump endorsed the one-bill strategy for the tax, border and energy package on Sunday night on Truth Social. But he indicated he was still open to a two-track strategy in public comments on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has backed a two-bill strategy, though he was careful not to emphasize that position Monday after Trump’s comments. But Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) has pushed to put everything in one large bill, a strategy that has support from Speaker Mike Johnson.
“I always thought two was a good idea. You can get some early wins with border … and then take the time that we need on the tax bill,” Barrasso said Monday.
