Trump wants ‘a few changes’ to tax plan

President Trump on Monday appeared to call for changes to the Republican tax plan even as he claimed it has “great support.”

Trump tweeted that he wants “just a few changes” that would help “the middle class and job producers,” as well as small businesses that are taxed through the code for individuals.

“The Tax Cut Bill is coming along very well, great support,” the president wrote. “With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings and the pass through provision becomes simpler and really works well!”

The Tax Cut Bill is coming along very well, great support. With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings and the pass through provision becomes simpler and really works well!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2017

The specific changes Trump wants, however, are unclear.

He tweeted just hours before he’s expected to meet at the White House with top Republican tax writers in the Senate.

GOP leaders are aiming to advance the tax bill in the upper chamber this week in a race to get a bill on Trump’s desk by year’s end. House Republicans passed their version of the plan before Thanksgiving.

But Senate Republicans do not yet have the 50 votes they need to pass the bill.

Trump’s comments could be aimed at Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who announced he cannot support the bill because he believes it helps corporations more than other businesses.

The Senate Finance Committee is reportedly considering last-minute changes to the bill that could mollify Johnson and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who has expressed similar concerns.

Republicans can only lose two senators and still pass the bill.

The president is expected to rally senators behind the plan on Tuesday during a trip to Capitol Hill. The stop is scheduled just before the Finance panel is expected to vote on the tax bill.