Republicans shape their tax legislation in line with Trump's persona, incorporating "Make America Great Again" elements and further additions

Getting Down to Business: The White House Wade-In on the GOP Tax Plan

WASHINGTON - With the GOP tax plan on the horizon, it's clear President Trump's influence is as potent as ever. Just days before its unveiling, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Jason Smith, paid a visit to the White House for a line-by-line review with Trump - and the president was thrilled with what he saw.

The proposed bill might as well be called the "Trump Agenda Act," given his imprint on the legislation. Title? A nod to his famous slogan: the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." And let's not forget the new "MAGA Account" - a savings plan for kids born during Trump's second term, funded with a cool $1,000 per child.

The plan encompasses several of Trump's campaign promises, like eliminating taxes on overtime pay and tips for many workers, creating a $10,000 auto loan interest tax break for American cars, and, of course, the MAGA account. The tax-friendly contours of this endeavor, crafted over months - if not years - reflect Trump's considerable sway over the GOP and the party's nail-biting need for consensus in the House.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., got his position thanks, in large part, to Trump and has kept a close line of communication open during negotiations, even during Johnson's recent overseas trip. Johnson reports that Trump is "excited" about their progress, offering support and encouragement as they work tirelessly to meet their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline.

The GOP bill spans a whopping 1,116 pages and proposes more than $5 trillion in tax cuts. To offset these costs, they'll trim spending elsewhere and tweak other parts of the tax code. The plan would make Trump's tax cuts from his first term permanent while reducing funding for programs like food assistance, college financing, and environmental protection.

But the GOP isn't without its internal strife. Divisions have emerged, particularly between fiscal hawks and those more concerned with local impacts. That's when Trump steps in, acting as the "closer" to sway undecided votes.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., affirms Trump's unwavering commitment to helping the bill gain traction, stating that Trump has proactively reached out to members who need his support. As negotiations continue, Trump's involvement is likely to ramp up, particularly as Johnson works to clear the tax package through the House.

The approval process hasn't been smooth sailing, with conservatives slowing progress. Last Friday, they refused to advance the bill until it includes quicker implementation of Medicaid changes and a more extensive repeal of green energy credits. They've vowed to hold their ground until their demands are met.

Trump, ever the speedy responder, applied pressure before committing his support. "We don't need 'GRANDSTANDERS' in the Republican Party," he posted on social media, urging members to move forward. Negotiations will likely stretch through the weekend, with the House Budget Committee reconvening late Sunday night in search of a breakthrough.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, predicts that Trump's direct involvement will ultimately push the bill over the finish line. After all, he says, "you may have noticed he likes talking on the telephone."

This closely coordinated effort with Republican leaders stands in stark contrast to Trump's first term, when party infighting made tax revisions challenging. But with Trumpleading the charge, the GOP is more united than ever, eager to get the tax package to the Senate and eventually land it on Trump's desk by the Fourth of July.

It's a new game in town, and the last minutes of the game will determine the winner. And Trump, with his flair for communication, is the MVP the GOP needs to score the winning points.

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Noteworthy Insights

The new bill realizes Trump's campaign promises by extending tax cuts, temporarily eliminating taxes on overtime and tips, and creating the new MAGA account.
Trump's influence, particularly during the first term, was limited compared to his involvement in this new tax plan.
Trump initially favored one comprehensive bill, addressing all GOP priorities, over two separate packages, a stance that has guided the current tax plan.

Microsoft, the world's most valuable company, has been under scrutiny due to its recent decision to cut workers.

In the realm of health care, Bastyr University has announced its intention to sell its Kenmore campus but plans to maintain a presence in the Seattle area.

The city of Seattle is also making headlines with potential changes to its Seattle-to-Portland flight from Boeing Field, as an airline considers another attempt at reviving the route.

In the world of politics and policy-and-legislation, the GOP's tax plan, marked by Trump's influence, is being closely watched for its impacts on general news, including potential funding changes to programs like food assistance, college financing, and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, in business news, Boeing has made a comeback from crisis with a record air deal in Qatar, and questions remain about the future of Bartell's as CVS targets Rite Aid's remaining stores.