President Trump is keeping his promise to congressional Republican leaders to use the bully pulpit and White House perks to unify the GOP.
Trump will host a bowling night at the White House on Thursday to work both lawmakers who are resisting the initial plan to repeal and replace Obamacare as well as thank those already on board. As many as 100 people, mainly lawmakers, are invited, said one knowledgeable source.
That kind of personal touch is what Democratic lawmakers lamented for years that President Obama lacked. They regularly complained about his hands-off approach with lawmakers. The White House has a bowling alley, movie theater, tennis courts, game room and putting green that commanders in chief can use to schmooze members of Congress and entertain guests.
“The outreach that he and his staff has made to the Hill is light years compared to what we’ve had,” said Georgia’s Doug Collins, who is the House Republican Conference’s vice chairman. “That personal touch matters with lawmakers in the end — both Republicans and Democrats.”
The Trump administration began working reluctant members on Tuesday by dispatching Vice President Mike Pence, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to the Capitol to hear out their concerns.
Trump was scheduled to meet Wednesday evening with conservative groups unhappy with the repeal and replace legislation being considered by House panels, including the Tea Party Patriots and Heritage Action.
“This president does something that I think has been very good; he’s willing to meet with all groups with all diversity of opinion,” Collins said. “He is very firm in support of his plan, but also he’s willing to listen, which is such a refreshing change from the last eight years when you had a president who liked briefing books and his close advisers.”
