President-elect Trump heads to the Capitol on Wednesday evening to meet with Republican senators and visit the Rotunda, where former President Carter is buried.
Just weeks before Inauguration Day, President Trump plans to discuss legislative priorities in a closed-door meeting with Republican supporters. Earlier this week, the president-elect expressed support for passing these priorities, including border security and tax cuts, in a single reconciliation bill as Republicans try to surround his agenda with a slim majority.
With Senate confirmation hearings scheduled to begin next week, Trump’s Cabinet nominations are also likely to become a topic of conversation with lawmakers.
While on the Hill, Trump will pay tribute to Carter, who passed away just before the New Year. On Tuesday, Trump said he admired the late Democrat despite their policy differences but criticized Carter for his symbolic sale of the Panama Canal in 1977.
“I liked him as a man. I do not agree with his policies,” Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday. “So he thought it would be a good thing to give up the Panama Canal. I think it cost him the election. That and the hostages.”
The canal that President Trump said he would reclaim from Panama has become his legislative priority upon his return to Washington. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R.D., a Trump ally, said early Wednesday that he would file legislation to begin the process.
NewsNation has confirmed that former first lady Melania Trump will join her husband in Washington on Thursday.
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