The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trump visits GOP legislators, tells them it’s time to ‘deliver’
PHILADELPHIA — President Donald Trump pledged allegiance to a long list of Republican agenda items on Thursday, telling a gathering of the party’s lawmakers that, together, they will repeal the Affordable Care Act, lower taxes for businesses and the middle class, rebuild crumbling infrastructure and create millions of jobs.
“This Congress is going to be the busiest Congress we’ve had in decades, maybe ever,” Trump said at a Republican retreat here. Gesturing to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump said: “He’s writing his heart out. And we’re actually going to sign the stuff that you’re writing. You’re not wasting your time.”
The president was met warmly in the room, particularly as he checked off the Cabinet members and nominees who came from the congressional ranks — among them Mike Pompeo, the Kansas congressman-turned-CIA director.
“It’s like being actually led into the Promised Land by Moses,” Rep. Tom Cole, a senior Republican from Oklahoma, said of Trump. “We’re there and he’s our leader and people feel very comfortable.”
Aides said Trump made the trip so he could reach out to lawmakers to advance a legislative agenda in the weeks ahead. In his remarks, he touted his quick action on a series of executive actions covering areas like immigration, the environment and trade. But he said broader action would require legislation.
Though Trump’s unpredictable behavior has continued to catch lawmakers off guard, Republican leaders have taken care to project an air of unity since his election.
“We are on the same page with the White House,” Ryan insisted Thursday, speaking to reporters before Trump’s visit.
Ryan did say that Trump, on Twitter and otherwise, had compelled members to adjust their expectations of the White House.
“This is going to be an unconventional presidency,” he said. “That is something we are all going to have to get used to.”
Trump arrived in Philadelphia after his first official flight on Air Force One.
In his remarks, Trump told lawmakers that the American people had decided in the election that they wanted change.
He boasted about his surprise victory, calling it a great night.
“Now we have to deliver,” the president said. “Enough all talk, no action. We have to deliver. This is our chance to achieve great and lasting change for our beloved nation.”
Trump received several standing ovations from the members of his party, including when he spoke about ending overseas aide to groups that supp ort abortion, rebuilding the militar y and eliminating regulations on the discovery and production of energy.
The lawmakers also applauded when he pledged to keep working toward construction of his long-promised wall along the Mexican border.