Republican Senators debate Trump's tax bill

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Only six months into the job, Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a massive challenge as he tries to quickly pass President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending cuts package.

Transcript

00:00We are really excited about having an opportunity to deliver for the American people.

00:13Obviously, everything from energy independence and dominance to making sure that we have

00:19the 21st century military capabilities that we need, to securing our border, to also making

00:24sure that hardworking Americans can keep more of their own money.

00:29So I'm excited about where it's going.

00:30I think the Republican conference is unified.

00:33We understand the mission and we understand what we need to do to help America continue

00:38to thrive and prosper.

00:44I'm sympathetic to more cuts.

00:47I agree with Ron Johnson and others.

00:49We've got to find more reductions to really address some of the legitimate concerns of

00:54some of the Senate members.

00:56But, you know, it's like I said, the level that Mr. Musk is operating, I can't really

01:01respond to that.

01:02If he wants to get into specific areas, but I get that we've got to bend the curve on spending.

01:07And we're doing everything we can to.

01:09Well, as you know, I'm for balancing the budget, so that's what I'm still working on.

01:19I support the president's agenda.

01:21I met with him on Monday.

01:23He agrees he wants to balance the budget, so that's my goal.

01:26I'm going to keep working and try to get that done.

01:28I'm not prepared to throw in the towel on this bill.

01:38I mean, here's where we are with the bill.

01:41We're in what I call the lively discussion stage.

01:48And this thing can go in one of two directions.

01:51It can go in a positive direction, where nobody's completely happy, but we put together something

01:59that we can all support.

02:01Or door number two is it turns into a crime scene.

02:07I'm an optimist.

02:08I'm an optimist who worries, but I think we'll ultimately end up with a bill we can pass.

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