Trump Meets with Republicans to Discuss Agenda

House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are set to meet with President-elect Donald Trump this week to address internal divisions over his legislative agenda, coinciding with Trump's visit to Washington for former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Trump is expected to host House Republicans at Mar-a-Lago for strategic discussions over the weekend, aiming to unify their approach towards tax, border, and energy initiatives. Meanwhile, Trump plans to meet Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, to discuss whether to bundle these priorities into one comprehensive bill or split them into two separate packages. While Trump has expressed support for a combined bill, some Senate members advocate for a two-package strategy to achieve early wins. Additionally, Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michael Barr announced his resignation, which enables the Trump administration to reshape federal bank regulation more swiftly, amid ongoing discussions about the independence of the Fed. Barr's departure comes as he seeks to avoid political distractions, emphasizing the need for the Fed to maintain its mission effectively.