Top Republican congressional leaders convened at the White House on Monday to address the culmination of the contentious tax bill negotiations, aiming to finalize the ‘big, beautiful bill’ before the July 4 deadline. Senate Majority Leader John Thune participated in a private meeting with President Donald Trump, though the discussions remained undisclosed. This meeting came as Senate Republicans grappled with resolving several critical provisions, including those related to Medicaid expansion, the state-and-local tax deduction, and the preservation of other Trump-era tax preferences. According to an anonymous source, the meeting was intended to align the Senate’s priorities with the broader legislative goals, despite the intricate nature of the compromises required.
In addition to Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson joined other Republican lawmakers, including Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, for a public event at the White House. The event featured a discussion on the key tax provisions of the House-passed tax bill, including the proposed tax exemption for tips — a provision under scrutiny by Senate Republicans. Jason Smith, who is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, noted that the Senate is considering scaling down this provision to accommodate other business tax extensions and Senate-side priorities. However, the Senate’s approach to these modifications continues to be a point of contention, with Johnson emphasizing the need to maintain the core elements of the House legislation.
Meanwhile, Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo, who met with Thune upon returning to the Capitol, stated that the key priority of many Senate Republicans — ensuring the permanence of business tax incentives — remains a work in progress. Crapo, a tight-lipped Idaho Republican, did not specify when he might have a finalized version of the bill ready, but his comments underscored the ongoing challenges of reconciling the House and Senate versions of the tax legislation. Thune, who is expected to return to the White House for further meetings this week, has maintained close communication with Johnson, who conveyed a clear message to the Senate that the House’s provisions should not be significantly modified. This stance highlights the delicate balance between legislative compromise and ideological consistency in the current political climate.