Small Businesses Are An Afterthought In Senate Tax Fight

Republican senators say tax reform would benefit small businesses but their true goal is to help the biggest firms, a fact dramatically illustrated by a Republican-on-Republican policy fight this week. The legislation would reduce the top corporate tax rate, the one paid by the largest publicly-traded companies, from 35 to 20 percent.

Mitch McConnell Says Republicans Have The Votes To Pass Tax Bill

Hours before Senate Republicans were scheduled to vote on a tax proposal that doesn't technically exist in final legislative form, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell strode to the floor McConnell was foiled over the summer and fall by the GOP effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, suffering a number of embarrassing defeats that illustrated his inability to wrangle the Republican Senate conference. Tax reform would be different, promised McConnell and other GOP leaders.

Cornyn, McConnell on tax reform: We’ve got this

Really? It didn't look that way yesterday evening when three of their Republican colleagues nearly derailed the tax reform bill on a procedural vote. After intense negotiations this morning and a little horse-trading, though, John Cornyn told reporters that GOP leadership have 50 votes whipped for the bill's final vote, expected later today or early tomorrow: Pressed if that means GOP leadership has the 50 votes needed to let Vice President Pence break a tie, he added "yes."

Sen. Jeff Flake announces support for tax bill; deal involves work on DACA

Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, one of the last remaining GOP holdouts on the Senate's tax-cut plan, announced Friday he will support the bill in exchange for work on a fix for certain illegal immigrants often brought into the country as children - a hot-button issue as lawmakers also work on year-end spending bills. Mr. Flake said he wanted to get a firm commitment for work "on a growth-oriented legislative solution to enact fair and permanent protections for DACA recipients," and to eliminate what he described as one of the budget gimmicks GOP leaders are using to bring down the cost of their bill.

Senate GOP hustles to meet tax bill holdouts’ demands

Senate Republicans are stepping quickly to meet competing demands of holdout GOP senators for a tax overhaul package expected to add $1 trillion to the nation's deficit over 10 years. The Republicans eye a crucial final vote Friday on the $1.4 trillion Senate bill carrying the hopes of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to preserve their majorities in next year's elections.

The Latest: Trump says tax bill keeps getting better

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch performances during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch performances during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017.

Experiencing the corruption in Mexico that led to a housing debacle

To the editor: The problems in Mexico with the construction of housing tracts is heartbreaking but not surprising. Having visited Baja California a number of times over the years for vacation, I was always bothered by the way business was done.

Senator: It’s time for US military families to leave South Korea

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that he believes it's time to start moving the families of American military personnel out of South Korea as North Korea pushes the U.S. closer to a military conflict. Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he will also urge the Pentagon not to send any more dependents to South Korea.

Senate GOP could scale back tax cuts

By MARCY GORDON and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans weighed scaling back the tax cuts in their massive package to secure crucial support as congressional analysts said Thursday the legislation would add $1 trillion to the nation's debt over the next decade.

Kansas plan for new prison draws criticism from lawmakers

Damon Hininger, the president and CEO of private prison company CoreCivic Inc., follows a Kansas legislative committee discussion of a state Department of Corrections plan to build a new prison, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The department plans to have CoreCivic build the prison and lease it to the state for 20 years.

Trump Reportedly Urged Top GOP Lawmakers To End Russia Probe

The New York Times alleges that according to several lawmakers and aides, Trump urged top Republicans in the Senate to wrap up its probe into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, something which has dogged his presidency. Senator Richard Burr , the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed that the president was "eager" to see the end of his investigation.

GOP pressing plan to avert government shutdown on Dec. 8

An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members. An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members.

The Latest: Tillerson here, working, Trump spokeswoman says

The Washington Post says it won't distribute any more columns by Garrison Keillor because he didn't reveal he was under investigation in his most recent effort. The Washington Post says it won't distribute any more columns by Garrison Keillor because he didn't reveal he was under investigation in his most recent effort.

GOP tax bill gains support; Senate leaders work on holdouts

An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members. Maryland officials say 26 people have been indicted after an investigation into gang activity in the state's prisons, including correctional officer called a high-ranking gang member.

HBO cuts ties with Russell Simmons amid second allegation

Simmons announced on Nov. 30, 2017, he would be ... An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members. An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members.

U.S. stocks gain on tax outlook as treasuries drop

Santa Claus visited the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in Nov. 2015, before the opening bell. Stocks have already exceeded most expectations in 2017, and it looks like Santa Claus will drop by to give investors another gift before the year comes to a close.