Civic Register
| 10.24.17

Trump Talks Taxes At Senate GOP Luncheon

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What’s the story?

President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans during their weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday. The President discussed tax reform and the opioid epidemic, but avoided mentioning his early-morning feud with Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) and the protester who threw Russian flags at Trump as he entered the Capitol.

It was Trump’s first appearance as president at the weekly luncheon.

Once the meal wrapped, and Trump departed without remarks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) told the press:

"We had the president at lunch today and he went over all the items the administration has been working on. Much of which - I agree with him - the administration hadn't gotten nearly enough credit for."

Topics discussed at the lunch include:

Tax reform

Sen. John Thune (SD) said that much of the lunch focused on the president discussing "what we can do to help ordinary Americans middle income families improve their economic standing, that's what the focus of tax reform is about."

He added, "We're on tax reform because it's unacceptable that half of families say they're living paycheck to paycheck."

McConnell said he was "hopeful" the House will pass its budget so Congress “can begin the process of tax reform.”

The opioid epidemic

Last week, the President announced that he’d soon be releasing his plan on combating the opioid crisis.

Following the luncheon, McConnell told reporters:

"We have a national epidemic of historic proportions and the administration has correctly seized on this issue."

Party loyalty

Sen. Corker and President Trump exchanged a war of words on Tuesday morning, with Corker accusing the President of "debasing" the country with his “untruths,” “name-calling” and “attempted bullying.”

In response, Trump tweeted:

McConnell sidestepped questions about the spat, telling reporters that he didn’t have "an observation" about the Twitter feud.

"We're here to try to accomplish things for the American people, we're all on the same page," the Majority leader said. "If there is anything all Republicans think is important to the country and to our party, it is comprehensive tax reform."

"We're going to concentrate on what our agenda is and not any of these other distractions that you all may be interested in."

Departing the luncheon, Corker told reporters that lunch was "delicious" but that tax reform “barely came up.” He noted he “didn’t partake” in the lunch conversation, but he “normally” doesn’t.

Shortly after the luncheon, Sen. Jeff Flake announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2018. In a speech aimed at President Trump, the Arizona senator condemned the "flagrant disregard of truth and decency" that is undermining American democracy.

‘‘There are times we must risk our careers,’’ Flake said from Senate floor. ‘‘Now is such a time.’’

Are Senate Republicans discussing the issues that matter to you? What would you like them to discuss at their next weekly luncheon? Hit Take Action, tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

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(Photo Credit: MichellePatrickPhotographyLLC / iStockphoto)