Ugh: Trump says welfare reform probably isn't happening this year

This is strictly a matter of recognizing political reality. Most in the Republican caucus probably think it should happen, but the GOP margin in the House is modest, and it's now razor-thin in the Senate. Most won't cut it. You need everyone. Now that we find ourselves in an election year, you can pass popular items like infrastructure work, but no one who has to run for re-election outside safe Republican House districts wants to touch something as controversial as entitlement reform. It's disappointing to see it taken off the table just six days into the new year, but I suspect Trump recognized pretty quickly during this gathering with Republican congressional leaders that there isn't the appetite for it. If Trump learned anything in his years in business, it's not to spend your time and resources fighting battles you can't win.