Remarks in an Exchange With Reporters Following a Meeting With Republican Members of Congress

The President's Meeting With Republican Lawmakers

Q. Mr. President, what was your message—what was your message to lawmakers in there? What's your message——

The President. We just had a great—it was really a meeting of unity. We had tremendous unity. There's a lot of love in the room, and I think we're going to have a big victory.

Q. Mr. President, will you impose new sanctions——

Q. What should happen to Republicans who don't support this bill?

The President. I think anybody that didn't support it, as a Republican, I would consider to be a fool. It's a great bill. It's a great bill for America, more importantly.

Thank you very much, everybody.

[At this point, several reporters began asking questions at once.]

The President's Outreach to House Republicans

Q. How involved are you going to be in terms of whipping up the vote? Are you going to be calling members specific- ——

The President. I think we're in good shape. I don't know, I can't tell you that. But this was a meeting of love. There is great unity in that room.

And it's the biggest tax cut in American history, and if it doesn't pass, everybody is going to get a 68-percent tax increase. I don't know how you beat that. Also, one other thing: You're going to get an 85-percent reduction in drugs. Eighty-five percent reduction. Not one-quarter of a percent, not an increase.

The Democrats'—you're going to pay 25-percent more for drugs. With me, because of what I've instituted—favored nations—the people of America—and it's about time—are going to get an 85-percent reduction. They're going to be paying the lowest price in the world.

The President's Legislative Agenda/Entitlement Programs

Q. How important is this for your agenda? You've been able to do a lot through executive action. How important is it to have this piece of legislation for your agenda and your legacy?

The President. It's very important. It's important for the country. I—it's not important for me. It's important for the country.

This is the greatest bill that will ever—I think it's the most important bill this country, just about, has ever done in terms of size and scope. That's why we call it the great, big, beautiful deal. I mean, it really is. The bill is—I think it's going to be one of the most important.

It's the biggest tax reduction in history; biggest regulation reduction in history; incredible for Medicaid, for Medicare. The only thing, we're going to leave it exactly as it was, other than for, obviously, waste, fraud, and abuse. We're strengthening it. We're going to make these things even stronger. The Democrats are going to destroy Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and we're going to keep them but even make them stronger. So——

Russia

Q. Will you impose new sanctions on Russia?

Q. How are the talks—how are the talks going——

The President. Say it.

Q. Will you impose new sanctions on Russia, like the EU is?

The President. Well, we're looking at a lot of things, but we'll see. I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. We'll see how that comes out.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

They're talking right now. We'll see how it comes——

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

Russia/Ukraine/Pope Leo XIV

Q. Why you suggested the Vatican, Mr. President, and Pope Leo?

The President. Say it.

Q. What about Pope Leo? Why the Vatican, sir, for the negotiation? Why you suggested that?

The President. No, I—Pope Leo suggested it, and if he'd like to have the talks at the Vatican, I can't think of a better place. I like it. This is a pretty good place too, come to think of it.

Q. Do you like this American pope?

The President. But I think—I like him, yes. I like the Pope, and I like the Pope's brother. You know, the brother—one of the Pope's brothers—actually, both of them, but one in particular is a major MAGA fan. Did you know that? He lives in Florida. He's got MAGA. He's got Trump. And I look forward to getting him to the White House. I want to shake his hand, and I want to give him a big hug.

Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

Q. How is Speaker Johnson doing?