Donald Trump sets meeting with Congress leaders for year-end legislative push

President Trump on Wednesday called congressional leaders to a meeting next week to discuss the end-of-year legislative push, the White House said.

The biggest item on that agenda is the tax reform bill that Mr. Trump wants approved by Christmas, but lawmakers also face deadlines to raise the debt ceiling and fund the government to avoid a shutdown.

“The president will be meeting with congressional leaders next week to discuss end-of-year legislative issues,” the White House said in a statement.

Mr. Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday with his family.

White House officials said he was also busy working Wednesday. He was making calls that included pressing lawmakers on the tax reform legislation, which is the centerpiece of his economic agenda and the last chance for Congress to chalk up a major accomplishment in Mr. Trump’s first year in office.

The House last week passed its tax reform bill and the Senate Finance Committee sent its version to the full chamber. The two bills will eventually have to be reconciled in a conference committee before a final bill can reach Mr. Trump’s desk.

Both bills provide cuts for individuals and business, as well as simplify the tax code. The bills also do more on the business side, including reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, which is intended to grow the economy, create jobs and raise wages.