Trump explained a strategic component to his one-bill reconciliation approach. (Getty Images)
With portions of Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring this year, the party is looking to act quickly. But the tax debate in 2025 is expected to be more divided among Republicans than that regarding the border. In particular, there is some disagreement in the party on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, which can benefit some states more than others and have been hit by some Republicans as inefficient.
"If somebody, for example, in the House is balking because there's not SALT in the tax agreement or some other provision they want, if that also means they'd be holding out and voting against the border, it might make it harder for them to do so," Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told Fox News Digital. "That's a very valid point."
While SALT was not posed as an example of this by Trump himself, it was mentioned by a GOP senator in a side conversation among other attendees as they went over the advantages of a one-bill approach, Hoeven said.
BORDER STATE DEMOCRAT RUBEN GALLEGO BACKS GOP'S LAKEN RILEY ACT AHEAD OF SENATE VOTE
Thune was "adamant" about supporting Trump's agenda as leader, one senator said. (Reuters)
Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal came up during the discussion following Trump's remarks about each. Trump has recently said he wants U.S. to take back control of critical trade medium the Panama Canal, while also expressing interest in making Greenland and Canada part of the U.S.
Sources familiar told Fox News that Trump brought these up himself during the meeting, telling senators at one point that these countries "were screwing with" the U.S.
TRUMP, GOP SENATORS TO HUDDLE AT CAPITOL, WEIGH STRATEGY ON BUDGET, TAXES AND BORDER
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with media outside Rideau Cottage on Monday, Jan. 6, in Ottawa. (AP/Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Several GOP senators took the opportunity to tell Trump that his comments on Canada were "transformative," the sources said.
The senators believe his approach to Canada is already managing to change the country's "behavior" and could have even contributed to the recent resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the sources added.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-details-strategy-get-necessary-votes-one-bill-approach-border-taxes