Trump meets with Senate Republicans to discuss upcoming legislative agenda

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday evening arrived on Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans about his strategy to pass upcoming legislation, and pay tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, who is lying in state.

Trump has expressed a willingness to be flexible on how certain critical bills are passed, including his mega comprehensive border and tax bill. Republicans appear to be at odds on how to pass the two priorities, which could either be divided into two packages or passed in a single bill.  

The incoming president has largely supported passing the priorities in one sweeping bill, but said he was willing to do whatever was necessary to get the work done. Republican leaders in the Senate, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have largely favored keeping the bills separate.

“We’re looking at the one bill versus two bills, and whatever it is, it doesn’t matter,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re going to get the result.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who greeted Trump at the Capitol, primarily supports keeping the two priorities together in one bill. Johnson said he sees himself as the GOP's quarterback, while Trump is the coach who calls the plays, according to the Associated Press.

The speaker also claimed that House and Senate GOP leaders are likely to make a final decision on the reconciliation process by Thursday, per Politico.

Some Senate Republicans have also indicated that they would defer the reconciliation bill to whatever the House is able to pass, given their slim majority.