Capitol Report: Trump, McConnell set for tense talks | Pelosi: ‘I’ve got to stay’ to defend Obamacare

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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, left.

President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will meet Monday to discuss tax reform and other issues, as conservatives’ anger at McConnell simmers.

In August, Trump said he was “very disappointed” in the Kentucky Republican, after McConnell said Trump had “excessive expectations” about the legislative process. Meanwhile the head of the Senate Conservatives Fund has called on McConnell to step down, and Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon told religious conservatives on Saturday he’s committed to dumping McConnell. A McConnell spokesman told Fox News the leader will join Trump for a working lunch to discuss taxes, relief to hurricane victims and other issues.

Also read: Bannon declares ‘season of war’ against Republican establishment.

Senate tax-reform kickoff: The Hill writes Senate Republicans are aiming to get the ball rolling on tax reform this week. GOP lawmakers are expected to vote on the fiscal year 2018 budget, which paves the way for Republicans to pass tax reform with a simple majority and avoid a Democratic filibuster. The resolution will allow the tax plan to add up to $1.5 trillion to the deficit over 10 years.

Also see: If Senate can pass budget resolution, tax cuts have strong chance: Zoellick.

Pelosi: I’ve got to defend Obamacare: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says she’s remained at the head of her caucus primarily to defend the Affordable Care Act from attempts by President Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal the 2010 health law. “I saw the threat to it, I said: I’ve got to stay, to take care of the Affordable Care Act, and that’s my fight, that’s my mission,” the California Democrat said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. As the Washington Post writes, Pelosi has deflected calls from more-junior Democrats to step aside for a new generation of party leaders.

Collins to Trump: Reinstate insurer payments: A key moderate Republican, meanwhile, is urging Trump to support a bipartisan Senate effort to reinstate insurer payments. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine calls Trump’s move to halt the subsidies an immediate threat to millions of Americans who could face rising premiums and lost health-care coverage.

“This is not a bailout of the insurers,” Collins said, according to the Associated Press. “What this money is used for is to help low-income people afford their deductibles and co-pays.”

See also: Trump announcing end to cost-sharing payments slams insurers, hospitals.