President Trump convened a Cabinet meeting Monday that he said would focus on “crucial domestic policy issues,” including the push for Congress to pass a tax reform bill.
“We’re going to give the American people a huge tax cut for Christmas — hopefully that will be a great big, beautiful Christmas present,” Mr. Trump said a the top of the meeting.
He scolded Democratic lawmakers for their lockstep opposition to the GOP tax reform plans.
“With the Democrats giving us no votes on tax cuts for purely political reasons — obstructionism — it will be up to the Republicans to come through for America,” said the president. “I think they will, I hope they will, it’s up to the Senate.”
The House last week passed its tax reform bill. The Senate is working on its version. The two bills will eventually have to be reconciled in a conference committee before a final bill can reach Mr. Trump’s desk.
Both bills provide cuts for individuals and business, as well as simplify the tax code. Both bills also do more on the business side, including reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, which is intended to grow the economy, create jobs and raise wages.
Democrats fault the GOP proposals for giving too many benefits to the wealthy and corporations, and not doing enough to help — or, in some cases, even hurting — the middle class.
“I’ll be there right in the middle of it, and we will come up with a bill that will be spectacular for growth and spectacular for the people of this country,” Mr. Trump said. “Our tax plan will bring urgent relief to hardworking families [and] we will restore America’s competitive edge so we can bring back our jobs.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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