The White House Is Going Full-Court Press to Get Reconciliation Through the Senate

Senators haven’t produced a bill yet, but the White House is already working lawmakers and dispatching administration officials to win over reluctant Republicans.

Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to reporters.
Sen. Josh Hawley is seen in the U.S. Capitol during a series of votes. Tom Williams/AP

The White House is wasting no time in trying to persuade Republican senators to back the reconciliation bill, using a full-court press strategy even before the legislation is actually written in the Senate.

As the GOP’s self-imposed deadline of Fourth of July recess rapidly approaches, the White House and President Donald Trump’s early intervention may be exactly what lawmakers need to jump-start the slow negotiations.

With so many issues unresolved, the only thing Republicans seem to have consensus on is that they should produce a reconciliation bill that extends the expiring tax rates.