Republicans lavish praise on Trump in marathon event to celebrate the passage of tax reform
- Republicans lavished praise on President Donald Trump on Wednesday after the passage of tax reform.
- Republicans and the White House took a victory lap on their entire year during the event.
Republicans lavished praise on President Donald Trump at a White House event on Wednesday to celebrate the passage of their major tax reform legislation through both the House and Senate.
In opening the ceremony, Trump praised the members of Congress who stood behind him, citing the "records all over the place" set by his administration.
"We are making America great again," he said.
After he wrapped up, prominent members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence took the microphone to gush over Trump.
"Well, let me just say Mr. President, you made the case for the tax bill," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "But this has been a year of extraordinary accomplishment for the Trump administration."
McConnell cited the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and 12 circuit court judges as major accomplishments from Trump's first year in office.
He noted that the number of circuit court judges the Senate confirmed set the record for the most in a year since the system was established in 1891.
"You hold the record," he said, adding that Trump has "ended the over-regulation of the American economy."
"And that coupled with what we did last night and what the House finished this morning means America is going to start growing again," he said.
Next up was House Speaker Paul Ryan, who praised Trump's "exquisite presidential leadership."
"Something this big, something this generational, something this profound could not have been done without exquisite presidential leadership," said Ryan, who has fought to overhaul the tax code for much of his near-two decades in Congress. "Mr. President, thank you for getting us over the finish line, thank you for getting us where we are."
Pence followed, again thanking Trump for his "leadership" and his "balanced faith in the American people.
"Thank you for keeping your promise to see this Congress deliver the largest tax cut in American history before Christmas of this year," he said. "Merry Christmas, America!"
He added that Trump "has been making history since the first day of this administration."
Later in the event, one of Trump's top congressional allies, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, took his turn to speak. And he one-upped all of his predecessors in his effusive praise of Trump.
"This president hasn't even been in office for even a year and look at all the things that he's been able to get done by sheer will in many ways," he said. "I just hope that we all get behind him every way we can and we'll get this country turned around in ways that will benefit the whole world, but above all benefit our people."
He said Trump, "who I love and appreciate so much," is on track for one of the greatest presidencies in history.
"We're going to make this the greatest presidency that we've seen," he said, adding. "Maybe ever."