Trump pressures Republicans to back his ‘big beautiful’ tax bill

The fate of US President Donald Trump’s centrepiece budget plan remains mired in uncertainty despite a last minute, in-person pitch to House Republicans on Tuesday.

Trump departed the comfortable confines of the White House for a far more raucous setting – Capitol Hill – where he tried to rally squabbling factions within his party to back his “big, beautiful” bill.

Some members are at odds over changes to healthcare and tax deductions in the bill, which also includes about $4.9tr (€3.7tn) in tax breaks.

Trump, who wants it passed by 26 May, is amping up pressure on Republicans to support it. Some conservative hardliners pushing for deeper cuts are meeting fierce resistance from moderates.

It was obvious something big was happening on Capitol Hill from blocks away, as lines to get into different congressional buildings wrapped around blocks.

That, coupled with scurrying Secret Service agents lining the halls were just some of the signs of a distinguished guest: Trump.

While Trump’s pitch earned him the support of some House Republicans, not all left the meeting enthused and ready to support the bill.

The measure still needs to pass a full House vote before it heads to the Senate, where Republicans there have their own qualms with the legislation.

Trump downplayed dissent from some conservatives when he spoke to reporters after meeting House Republicans.

“This was a meeting of love, there was great unity in that room,” Trump said. “We’re going to have a great victory.”

Others in his party weren’t so emphatic. “As it stands right now, I do not support the bill,” said Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

The president has emphasised that the bill gets rid of the “waste fraud and abuse” included in the budget, but not all Republican members agreed on what that means.

Much of the division in the party centres on changes to state and local tax deductions – known as Salt. The bill proposes to triple the allowable deduction from from $10,000 to $30,000 for couples.

That’s irked Republicans in states with higher taxes, such as New York, California and New Jersey, who are pushing for a higher cap. Lawmakers in those states argue a higher cap will give relief for middle-class Americans in high-taxed jurisdictions.

Mike Lawler appeared frustrated, saying he wouldn’t back the measure in the upcoming full house vote.

“While I respect the president, I’m not budging on it,” Lawler said.

About a half a dozen members are similarly standing firm, threatening to hold out support.

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, a New York Republican who previously expressed some scepticism about the Salt proposals, said she is satisfied with how the issue has been resolved but does not blame other representatives for pushing back.

“They’re fighting for their districts and they should be but when it comes time to vote for the bill, it’s get the best deal possible and vote for the bill” Malliotakis said.