WASHINGTON Republicans pushed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill through the Senate early Saturday, Dec. 2 after a burst of eleventh-hour horse trading, as a party starved all year for a major legislative triumph took a giant step toward giving President Donald Trump one of his top priorities by Christmas.
“Big bills are rarely popular. You remember how unpopular ‘Obamacare’ was when it passed?” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview, shrugging off polls showing scant public enthusiasm for the measure. He said the legislation would prove to be “just what the country needs to get growing again.”
Senate approval came on a 51-49 roll call with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the only lawmaker to cross party lines. The measure focuses its tax reductions on businesses and higher-earning individuals, gives more modest breaks to others and offers the boldest rewrite of the nation’s tax system since 1986.
Republicans touted the package as one that would benefit people of all incomes and ignite the economy. Even an official projection of a $1 trillion, 10-year flood of deeper budget deficits couldn’t dissuade GOP senators from rallying behind the bill.
“Obviously I’m kind of a dinosaur on the fiscal issues,” said Corker, who battled to keep the bill from worsening the government’s accumulated $20 trillion in IOUs.
The Republican-led House approved a similar bill last month in what has been a stunningly swift trip through Congress for complex legislation that impacts the breadth of American society. The two chambers will now try crafting a final compromise to send Trump.
After spending the year’s first nine months futilely trying to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, GOP leaders were determined to move the measure rapidly before opposition Democrats and lobbying groups could blow it up. The party views passage as crucial to retaining its House and Senate majorities in next year’s elections.
Democrats derided the bill as a GOP gift to its wealthy and business backers at the expense of lower-earning people. They contrasted the bill’s permanent reduction in corporate income tax rates from 35 percent to 20 percent to smaller individual tax breaks that would end in 2026.
Congress’ nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation has said the bill’s reductions for many families would be modest and said by 2027, families earning under $75,000 would on average face higher, not lower, taxes.
Source: Oc Register
GOP tax-overhaul bill passes Senate, 51-49
More from governmentMore posts in government »
- Thieves are ramming, stealing bronze light poles in Pasadena; city seeks public’s help
- The Real Tarzann’s zoo near Temecula targeted by PETA, code enforcement
- California’s $6.38 billion mental health bond measure still too close to call
- US Senate polls show flipflopping projections in Porter-Garvey scrap for second place
- A year after the death of OC lawyer Elliot Blair in Mexico, mystery remains but healing begins
More from national politicsMore posts in national politics »
- Biden is off on details of his uncle’s WWII death as he calls Trump unfit to lead the military
- Virginia becomes first Southern state to abolish child marriage
- Sen. Laphonza Butler isn’t just keeping a seat warm in Washington
- States race to restrict deepfake porn as it becomes easier to create
- Trump trial: Why can’t Americans see or hear what is going on inside the courtroom?
More from NewsMore posts in News »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- 4 Inland men sentenced to prison for roles in Jan. 6 Capitol riot
- Chicago’s response to migrant influx stirs longstanding frustrations among Black residents
- In reversal, more areas allow high-speed police chases
- How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday
More from Orange County CoastMore posts in Orange County Coast »
- Police seeking man who led them on high-speed chase from Orange County to Carson
- Beckman, Woodbridge and Crean Lutheran finish boys basketball tournament Saturday
- CHP chases pickup into Carson, pursuit began in Orange County
- Bicyclist injured after being struck by car in Fullerton
- World AIDS Day vigil in Laguna Beach pays tribute to those who died
More from taxesMore posts in taxes »
- IRS says 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds are about to expire
- No fair: Poll finds most feel they pay too much in taxes
- DA questions Irvine chamber’s use of special tax revenues for hotel promotions
- Hunter Biden set to be arraigned in LA on federal tax charges
- Top paid California non-profit CEO made $35.5 million; many others also get big bucks
More from Top Stories BreezeMore posts in Top Stories Breeze »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Sen. Laphonza Butler isn’t just keeping a seat warm in Washington
More from top stories ivdbMore posts in top stories ivdb »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Death row inmate transfers to Chino prison spur safety concerns with mayor, police
More from Top Stories LADNMore posts in Top Stories LADN »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Studio City freeway crash that killed LA Fire Department recruit not classified as a hit-and-run
More from Top Stories LBPTMore posts in Top Stories LBPT »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- These women are creating community at the Grand Prix of Long Beach
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
More from Top Stories OCRMore posts in Top Stories OCR »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Man gets 11 years for DUI crash that killed 3 returning from Bible study in Placentia
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- Huntington Beach councilmembers pledge to fight state’s lawsuit over city’s voter ID measure
More from Top Stories PEMore posts in Top Stories PE »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- 4 Inland men sentenced to prison for roles in Jan. 6 Capitol riot
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
More from Top Stories PSNMore posts in Top Stories PSN »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Sen. Laphonza Butler isn’t just keeping a seat warm in Washington
More from top stories rdfMore posts in top stories rdf »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Death row inmate transfers to Chino prison spur safety concerns with mayor, police
More from Top Stories SGVTMore posts in Top Stories SGVT »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Sen. Laphonza Butler isn’t just keeping a seat warm in Washington
More from top stories sunMore posts in top stories sun »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Death row inmate transfers to Chino prison spur safety concerns with mayor, police
More from Top Stories WDNMore posts in Top Stories WDN »
- Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees
- Need speed humps, bumps or cushions on your street to slow down drivers?
- Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use
- California’s fast food prices rose 7% before new $20 wage, No. 1 jump in US
- Sen. Laphonza Butler isn’t just keeping a seat warm in Washington
Be First to Comment