President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated Monday that they want to see a tax bill passed by the end of the year.
“I really believe that we have a very good chance of getting the taxes done … hopefully fairly long before the end of the year,” the president said in a hastily scheduled press availability following a lunch with the Kentucky Republican.
McConnell added: “The goal is to get it done by the end of the year.”
The GOP faces multiple hurdles in meeting the target for approving a tax plan. Tax-writing committees have not yet crafted a bill, while lawmakers have other legislative deadlines to meet before the end of the year, as well.
The Senate also still needs to pass a fiscal 2018 budget resolution, then approve a joint budget with the House, before a more concrete plan takes shape. The chamber hopes to pass it this week.
Passing a budget proposal allows them to use rules in which the GOP can pass a bill with only Republicans votes in the Senate.
Trump said he wants to see “minor adjustments” to the framework unveiled by Republicans to “make sure that the middle class is the biggest beneficiary.” He did not specify what those changes would be.
The tax framework released last month calls to slash rates broadly for individuals and businesses while raising the standard deduction and getting rid of other deductions. It lacked clear provisions to offset the revenue lost by the cuts.
The budget deficits generated by the potential plan, as well as a possible proposal to get rid of state and local tax deductions, have also emerged as sticking points for Republicans.
The Republican president and top senator in his party also aimed to quash talk of a rocky working relationship.
Trump and McConnell put on a united front and said they have the same policy goals.
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