House Republican leaders might be learning to let go just as the Border Adjustment Tax begins to reach room temperature. This morning, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan admitted that tax reform could move forward without the provision, an opinion that Majority Whip Steve Scalise echoed by midafternoon.

The number-three House Republican, Scalise seems ready to move on from the border adjustment tax.F

"We want to be on the same page as the president," Scalise told the Washington Examiner before adding that he just wants to see an alternative.

If tax reform must be revenue-neutral in order to pass the Senate with a simple majority per reconciliation rules," Scalise asks "and the border adjustment isn't in the mix, what replaces it? Anybody who has criticism of what's in the proposal is fine so long as they bring an alternate solution."

Boring but not noncontroversial, the Border Adjust Tax is simple enough, levying taxes on imports while exempting exports. Supporters maintain that it'd make American products more competitive. Opponents counter that it'd increase the cost of living. And both sides agree it's the most significant impediment to tax reform.

GOP leadership has fought a lonely battle against its own ranks to keep the tax alive. A loyal Ryan lieutenant, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, fought against the provision, describing it as a way to "level the playing field" for American industry.

Party brass even put together a packet to help members explain the tax to their constituents. The "communication document," published by Politico on Monday, provides prepackaged soundbites for making the sale. Unfortunately for Ryan and company, the White House wasn't buying.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with House conservatives Tuesday night to put a stake in the heart of the tax. After the meeting, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows told Axios that "there is a growing consensus in the administration that we must act soon to advance tax reform and BAT is seen as a major impediment."

Less than 24 hours later, it seemed as if Ryan had finally come around to the White House position.

"If you're not going to tax our trade deficit, like every other country does, then you'll have to get your base broadening from within the country," the Wisconsin tax wonk said at an event hosted by Axios. "And that's the kind of conversation we're going to have all summer long."

Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.