As President Donald Trump pushes for Congress to pass his major domestic policy bill by the Fourth of July, he also conceded that lawmakers may need to extend the negotiation process beyond the self-imposed deadline.
“We want to keep it to the July Fourth,” Trump told reporters Tuesday morning as he headed to the Florida Everglades to visit Alligator Alcatraz, a migrant detention center.
“I’d love to do July Fourth, but I think it’s very hard to do July Fourth,” he continued. “I would say maybe July Fourth or somewhere around there.”
Yet the president remained hopeful that the legislation’s final passage would happen soon.
“Hopefully, today, if we can,” Trump said. “I think Senate should be today, and we go over to the House.”
Trump also warned his fellow GOP lawmakers in the Senate not to trim too much from the reconciliation package, which will head back to the House for a vote once it passes through the upper chamber.
“We’re going to have to see the final version. I don’t want to go too crazy with cuts. I don’t like cuts,” said Trump. “There are certain things that have been cut, which is good. I think we’re doing well. We’re going to have to see; it’s some very complicated stuff. Great enthusiasm, as you know. And I think in the end we’re going to have it.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) concerns on the bill’s effect on Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have thrown a wedge in Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s (R-SD) ability to pass the “one big beautiful bill.” The president did not seem sure how best to placate Murkowski’s concerns.
“Who knows? You tell me. You tell me,” Trump said when asked. “Alaska’s done so well with me. There’s never been a president better to Alaska than me. But it doesn’t mean people appreciate it.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is another Republican who has not signaled whether she would support the bill, citing concerns over its effect on rural hospitals.
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“I think it would be very wise for them to get on board. I really do. It’s a great bill,” Trump said about GOP lawmakers who have not yet decided to support the bill. “Nothing’s easy because we made a great big– we added everything in there for everybody, and it’s also a beautiful economic development bill. Great for the border, great for low taxes, and I would say that they have to do it.”
The Senate is amid a vote-a-rama on amendments to the bill as Thune hopes to corral enough votes to pass the legislation. He told reporters that the GOP is “close” to passing the “one big, beautiful bill” early Tuesday morning.