In a victory for Trump, Republican tax bill passes Senate in 51-48 vote

WASHINGTON: Jubilant Republican lawmakers laid plans to join President Donald Trump at the White House for a victory celebration on Wednesday as Congress moved one roll call away from approving the GOP's paramount priority, the most thorough reshaping of the country's tax system since the 1980s.
"Workers benefit. Wages go up. More jobs occur," House speaker Paul Ryan, Republican from Wisconsin, said on Wednesday, describing what Republicans say will flow from a $1.5 trillion measure that affects everyones taxes but is dominated by breaks for business and higher earners. Democrats call the legislation a boon to the rich that leaves middle-class and working Americans behind.



The Senate used a post-midnight vote to approve the measure on a party-line 51-48 tally. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, insisted Americans would respond positively to the tax bill. Trump has planned a White House news conference and a ceremony with GOP lawmakers after final congressional approval. In an eleventh-hour hiccup on Tuesday, the Senate parliamentarian found that three minor provisions violated Senate rules, forcing lawmakers to strip them out.

Republicans had rammed the bill through the House 227-203 on Tuesday with all voting Democrats in opposition. Because of the language the Senate removed, the House had to revisit the measure on Wednesday because each chamber must approve identical legislation before it can be signed into law. Ryan, who has worked years toward the goal of revamping the tax code, gleefully pounded the gavel on Tuesday's House vote. GOP House members roared and applauded as they passed a package that will touch every American taxpayer and every corner of the US economy, providing steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest help for middle- and low-income families.

Trump tweeted his congratulations to GOP leaders and to "all great House Republicans who voted in favour of cutting your taxes!" Congressional Republicans, who faltered badly in trying to dismantle Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, see passage of the tax bill as crucial to proving to Americans they can govern.


The GOP has repeatedly argued the bill will spur economic growth as corporations, flush with cash, increase wages and hire more workers. But many voters in surveys see the legislation as a boost to the wealthy and a minor gain at best for the middle class.

Tax cuts for corporations would be permanent while the cuts for individuals would expire in 2026 to comply with Senate budget rules.

The legislation repeals an important part of the 2010 health care law — the requirement that all Americans carry health insurance or face a penalty — as the GOP looks to unravel the law it failed to repeal & replace this past summer. AP