Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he believes the House can pass President Trump’s tax agenda by Memorial Day.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Johnson said he met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and others to discuss where lawmakers were on their “aggressive timetable” to pass the ambitious agenda.
“We’re still on schedule,” Johnson said. “I think we can meet it.”
While Bessent announced Monday that July 4 is the new deadline for Congress to pass the agenda, Johnson said he believes it could happen sooner.
He thinks once it passes the House, the Senate can work “expeditiously” to pass it.
“He says July 4 because that’s a big, big birthday for us, and everybody knows that,” Johnson said of Bessent’s new deadline. “But I think, and I hope and believe, that we can get it done sooner than that.”
“I believe we can pass it by Memorial Day,” he added.
Trump and Republicans are set to include a range of tax goals in one package, including making the president’s 2017 tax cuts permanent and eliminating taxes for tips, overtime and Social Security.
The bill could also contain immigration reform, defense funding, and an increase in the debt ceiling, in addition to spending cuts.
Republicans originally wanted to pass the bill by Memorial Day, but some say the goal is unrealistic.
Johnson expressed confidence and the desire to move quickly on raising the debt ceiling, knowing that the “X date is approaching.”
“We want to reduce the deficit while also following through on all of our campaign promises,” he said.