WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump dialed in Tuesday to what was described as a “love fest” with Senate Republicans as they begin laying the groundwork for control of the government in the new year and a possible agenda for the first 30 days.
Trump’s brief appeal was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those who attended the private Republican retreat, encouraging senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities.
“It was a lovefest,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “There was a real sense of unity in the room.”
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The virtual visit comes as Congress is wrapping up the final weeks of what is, by most measures, among the more chaotic sessions of modern times. Now that the party is in full control, Republicans are eager to do better next year with Trump’s return to the White House.
Republicans want to put in an early performance in the first 30 days after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota outlined a possible road map during the private retreat at the Library of Congress.
Thune described a possible two-part strategy that would see senators work on an initial legislative package — energy, border security and defense priorities — that could be passed in the first 30 days of the new administration.
Thune then explained that senators would turn to tax cuts — reviving the expiring tax cuts from Trump’s first term — which are expected to last longer and drag on into the year.
The new Congress will convene on Jan. 3, when lawmakers are sworn in, and the Senate expects to soon hold confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet nominees — some of whom are already facing resistance.
Trump’s picks of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and far-right FBI critic Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation face potentially difficult confirmation hearings. Hegseth, who met with senators late into the evening Monday, was on Capitol Hill for a second day Tuesday.
“It is important that we thoroughly vet the nominees for these very important positions,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also addressed Republican senators — noting that he has a slim majority in the House of Representatives, leaving little room for party opponents.
Johnson “stressed the need for unity in the first 100 days agenda,” his spokesman Taylor Haulsee said.
Republicans have struggled to unite around the details of their agenda, even when they control the instruments of government in Washington.
In the House of Representatives and the Senate, Republicans plan to use a process called “budget reconciliation” that would allow them to pass Trump’s party-line voting agenda with a simple majority despite expected opposition from the House of Representatives. Democrats.
But divisions are already emerging over various tax and budget cuts, and broader policies such as Trump’s plans for mass deportations of immigrants.
Republicans are likely to shift federal funds to pay for construction of Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall and hire staff to round 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. “Employ the people needed to start the deportations of the bad guys. ”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said debates over border policy can be as thorny as those over taxes.
Congress is expected to work longer weeks, especially in the Senate, which often does not meet on Fridays.
“We will be here a little more often than we are now,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
__ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
