President Trump Meets with House Republicans to Align on Agenda
By SEUNG MIN KIM, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to meet with House Republicans on Tuesday to ensure they are on the same page with their agenda as they enter a crucial midterm election year that could shape the direction of the final two years of his presidency.
The House Republicans are holding a daylong policy forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, a venue recently embroiled in controversy as its board, filled with Trump supporters, voted to rename it the Trump Kennedy Center, a decision that is currently facing legal challenges.
As the GOP kicks off their new year agenda, healthcare issues remain a key focus, with discussions on extending expired health insurance subsidies expected to take place this week. The outcome of these votes could have significant implications for the party as they navigate the upcoming midterm elections.
President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are working to rally Republican lawmakers, despite the slim majority they hold in the chamber. However, there has been a growing trend of members breaking ranks with the leadership, most recently on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Following the resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican leaders now have a 219-213 majority in the House.
The meeting also comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s bold move to capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, a development that has reignited discussions around the president’s authority to authorize such actions without congressional approval.
Key topics on the agenda for the meeting include the promotion and implementation of the GOP’s tax and border legislation, as well as broader affordability initiatives and discussions on midterm politics. Republicans are also considering a potential second tax bill that could pass along party lines, while also facing the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of the month.
The choice of the Kennedy Center as the venue for the meeting has raised questions, as House GOP meetings typically take place in the Capitol or nearby off-campus locations for political discussions. The speaker’s office did not provide further comment on the decision.
AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
