WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives remains on target to pass President Donald Trump’s tax bill around the May 26 Memorial Day holiday, Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday, telling reporters that there has been no “setback” in advancing the legislation.
“Everybody remains in close coordination on the urgency of the hour, and we’re trying to get it done. If it’s not done before Memorial Day, it will be shortly thereafter. But our timetable is on pace,” Johnson told reporters at the U.S. Capitol.
The Louisiana Republican acknowledged that the timetable is “very ambitious” but said House Republicans have not faced a setback, despite the postponement of committee meetings needed to advance the bill’s individual programs. Republican lawmakers are divided over proposals including cuts for social safety net programs including the Medicaid healthcare program for lower-income Americans.
“It’s not a setback at all. In fact, I think it’s very productive,” Johnson said. “We would rather take another week and do it exactly right than rush it and have to adjust things later.”
Johnson said a key White House meeting with Trump had to end early due to other events, preventing decisions on some aspects of the bill from being taken.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone)