Last-ditch bid by president to win support for tax reforms

DONALD TRUMP held crunch meetings with senior Republicans last night as he tried to force through the tax cuts he hoped would be the biggest achievement of his presidency.

With a Senate vote expected as early as tomorrow, several Republican senators were still not on board last night.

The president can only afford to lose two Republican votes as he seeks his first major legislative achievement.

While Mr Trump engaged in lastminute behind-the-scenes arm twisting another crisis erupted as Democrat leaders cancelled a meeting called to avoid a government shutdown next

‘Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our country unchecked [and] are weak on crime’

month. A temporary bill runs out on Dec 8 but, before meeting to agree an extension, Mr Trump angered Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat leaders in Congress.

He wrote on Twitter: “Meeting with ‘Chuck and Nancy’ today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our country unchecked, are weak on crime and want to substantially RAISE taxes. I don’t see a deal!”

Issues standing in the way of a deal include Mr Trump’s support for a military spending increase and Democrat demands that “Dreamers” – undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children – be allowed to stay.

In 2013, a spending feud caused 850,000 government officials to be sent home temporarily, national parks closed, and half a percentage point was shaved off economic growth.

The standoff left Mr Trump facing potential crises on two fronts with his tax reforms also in the balance.

Having so far failed to pass healthcare, immigration or infrastructure reforms, he could face a party revolt if he cannot introduce what he has called the “greatest tax cut in history”.

Some Republican senators fear the tax reforms could increase the national debt by $1.4trillion (£1trillion) by 2027.