'Can’t really start': GOP senators already doubting Trump’s strategy for first major bill

07 January

President-elect Donald Trump has been calling for "one powerful bill" in Congress that will address a variety of legislative priorities, including taxes, immigration and the U.S./Mexico border.

But according to Politico reporters Ursula Perano and Jordain Carney, some GOP senators aren't sure that one big megabill is the best approach after Trump is sworn in as president.

In an article published on January 6, Perano and Carney explain, "If Donald Trump thought he was settling the GOP's most important strategy dispute, Senate Republicans are not getting the message. Less than 24 hours after Trump endorsed 'one powerful bill' to carry his domestic policy agenda, a dozen senators said in interviews that the legislative path to its enactment remains an open question. It underscores the mounting confusion as Republicans feel pressure to show quick progress on border, energy and tax priorities."

The Politico journalists note that although GOP senators are "ready to follow Trump's lead," they are "not convinced he is firmly planted yet in the one-bill camp."

Incoming Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) told Politico, "I've heard the president say that he's now on the 'one' side, but he doesn't oppose the 'two' side. We still need a plan."

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) told Politico he is "for whatever the House can get done."

Meanwhile, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat, says that "negotiations" will be on hold until Republicans determine how many bills there will be.

Gomez told Politico, "Good luck. I think that Donald Trump agrees with whoever he speaks with last, so that's why you have the 'one bill, two bills' (debate). … If you don't know if you're gonna go for one package or two, you can't really start negotiations.”

Read Politico's full article at this link.

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