Trump, British prime minister will huddle with congressional Republicans at retreat Thursday

Republicans would be wise to learn from the mistakes of others.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

published 26 January 2017

On Thursday, President Trump will speak to House and Senate Republicans at the GOP's annual policy retreat, the first retreat in a decade where the GOP controls both houses of Congress and the White House. Vice President Mike Pence will also address the congressional Republicans, as will British Prime Minister Theresa May, marking the first time a foreign head of government appears at a GOP retreat. House Speaker Paul Ryan laid out an ambitious list of policies for Trump's first 200 days, including a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act by March and a total overhaul of the U.S. tax code by midsummer, plus special funding for Trump's $14 billion Mexico border wall and an infrastructure bill.

Some Republicans, however, expressed concerns about Trump being able to stay focused on their shared agenda. "I'd rather not be revisiting and rehashing the election — it's over," said Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.). "We have to get onto the serious issue of governing. These other issues are distractions." At the same time, he added, "I don't control the Twitter feed."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.