President-elect Donald Trump engaged in what was described as a “love fest” with Senate Republicans on Tuesday as they lay the basis for government control in the new year, as well as a potential first-30-day agenda.
According to those who attended the secret Republican retreat, Trump’s brief conversation was more celebratory than prescriptive in nature, pushing senators to confirm his Cabinet picks as they undertake an agenda of tax cuts, deportations, and other goals.
“It was a love fest,” remarked Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo). “There was a real sense of unity in the room.”
The virtual visit comes as Congress nears the end of one of the most tumultuous sessions in modern times. With complete party control, Republicans are hoping to perform better next year, with Trump returning to the White House.
Republicans hope to make an early impact in the first 30 days following Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
During the private meeting at the Library of Congress, incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota detailed a probable road plan for the future.
Thune described a possible two-part plan in which senators concentrate on a first legislation package containing energy, border security, and defense issues that may be enacted within the first 30 days of the incoming administration.
Thune then indicated that the senators would turn to tax cuts, restoring the expiring tax cuts from Trump’s first term, which are expected to take longer and extend into the year.
The new Congress begins on January 3, when lawmakers are sworn in, and the Senate plans to immediately begin holding confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet choices, some of whom are already facing opposition.
Trump’s nominations of Fox News star Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and hard-right FBI critic Kash Patel to run the Federal Bureau of Investigation face potentially contentious confirmation hearings. Hegseth, who met with senators late Monday evening, was on Capitol Hill for a second day Tuesday.
“It’s critical that we thoroughly vet the nominees for these very important positions,” said Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also addressed the GOP senators, emphasizing his small majority in the House, which leaves little room for party critics.
Johnson’s spokesperson, Taylor Haulsee, stated that the president “emphasized the need for unity heading into the first 100 days agenda.”
When asked about the specifics of the legislative package, Johnson indicated lawmakers would make those decisions within the next several days.
“There are different ideas on what to put in the first package and what in the second and we’re trying to build consensus around that,” Johnson told the crowd.
Even while Republicans hold the levers of power in Washington, they have struggled to unite around the substance of their program.
In the House and Senate, Republicans intend to utilize a mechanism known as budget reconciliation to pass Trump’s program on party-line votes with a simple majority, despite expected Democratic resistance.
However, splits are already forming over various tax and expenditure cuts, as well as larger themes like Trump’s proposals for mass deportation of immigrants.
Republicans are likely to use federal cash to build Trump’s proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico, as well as to hire troops to pick up migrants for deportation.
“The goal is not just to finish the wall, but to have technology that really gives you eyes and ears on the border,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “Hire the people necessary to start the deportations of the bad guys.”
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, border policy arguments might be as contentious as tax ones.
Congress is likely to work longer weeks, especially in the Senate, which is frequently not in session on Fridays.
“We are going to be here a bit more than we have,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
