Trump Receives Pre-Holiday Ego Boost From His Cabinet, GOP Leaders

Fresh off his only major legislative victory, President Donald Trump on Wednesday basked in the adulation showered upon him by a trifecta of Cabinet members, congressional Republican leaders and his own White House press team. In the morning came the celebratory Cabinet meeting that doubled as an ego boost, with administration officials praising the president for what they saw as the progress of his agenda so far.

The Latest: Ryan says tax cut needed to keep businesses home

House Speaker Paul Ryan is acknowledging "nobody knows" if the sweeping tax cuts Congress is enacting will produce enough economic growth to fend off soaring federal deficits. Making the rounds of morning television news shows, the Wisconsin Republican known as a deficit hawk suggested it's a risk that Republicans are willing to take.

Senate Approves GOP Tax Plan, House to Revote Wednesday

In a vote in the early Wednesday morning hours, the Senate approved the final version of the first overhaul of the US tax code in more than 30 years, handing President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans their most significant legislative victory of 2017. The bill passed along party lines, 51-48 with the final result announced by Vice President Mike Pence who presided over the vote.

This could be why Chris Christie is suddenly pointing the finger at Jared Kushner

Chris Christie made news Tuesday for saying Jared Kushner "deserves to be scrutinized" by special counsel Robert Mueller - but there's another reason he may be dangerous to President Donald Trump. The outgoing New Jersey governor stressed that he's not accusing Kushner of breaking the law, but he said Trump's son-in-law would certainly draw the interest of Mueller and his team of prosecutors.

Connect to CongressSenate moves tax cut legislation to brink of final passage

Jubilant Republicans pushed on early Wednesday to the verge of the most sweeping rewrite of the nation's tax laws in more than three decades , a deeply unpopular bill they insist Americans will learn to love when they see their paychecks in the new year. President Donald Trump cheered the lawmakers on, eager to claim his first major legislative victory.

House and Senate approve Trump’s massive tax overhaul, but last-minute glitch delays final passage

The House and Senate approved the most significant overhaul of the tax code in three decades, but Republicans will have to clear one more legislative hurdle before they can claim their first major legislative win and deliver the $1.5 trillion package to President Trump before Christmas, as he requested. The GOP's sweeping tax measure hit a glitch late Tuesday afternoon in the Senate when the parliamentarian ruled that three minor provisions included in the House-passed bill did not comply with the Senate's strict budget rules.

Pence delays Israel, Egypt trip as tax vote nears

Washington, Dec 19 - US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to travel to Egypt and Israel on Tuesday, has postponed his trip until next month to ensure the Senate passage of the much-awaited Republican tax bill, the media reported. The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans, Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement on Monday.

McCain says he’s feeling well, vows return in January

Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January. The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

On SNL, Donald Trump’s White House celebrates Christmas by…

The White House gang was all there in the latest "Saturday Night Live" cold open, with Alec Baldwin reprising his role as US President Donald Trump - this time reflecting on his "amazing first year in office." "That's right, you can finally say that again, because the war on Christmas is over," Baldwin's Trump says.

Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan,…

Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan, thanks to Ted Cruz and Mike Pence - Washington Examiner Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan, thanks to Ted Cruz and Mike Pence Washington Examiner Parents would get new federal tax breaks for sending their children to private or religious schools or teaching them at home if the final Republican tax overhaul bill becomes law.

Star Wars, Oracle and Doubts About the Tax Bill – 5 Things You Must Know

U.S. stocks are indicated to open higher on Friday, rebounding from losses in the previous session that were brought on by doubts expressed by some GOP lawmakers over the tax bill in Congress. 1 . -- U.S. stocks were indicated to open higher on Friday, Dec. 15, rebounding from losses in the previous session that were brought on by doubts expressed by some GOP lawmakers over the tax bill in Congress.

Rubio’s defection threatens Senate GOP’s edge on tax bill

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio declared Thursday he will vote against the GOP'S sweeping tax package unless negotiators expand its child tax credit, jeopardizing the Republicans' razor-thin margin as they try to muscle the $1.5 trillion bill through Congress next week.

Rubio’s defection threatens Senate GOP’s margin on tax bill

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio declared Thursday he will vote against the GOP'S sweeping tax package unless negotiators expand its child tax credit, jeopardizing the Republicans' razor-thin margin as they try to muscle the $1.5 trillion bill through Congress next week. Rubio wants to increase the portion of the basic $2,000-per-child tax credit that would go to low-income families.

Alabama loss may offer a warning to Trump White House

President Donald Trump managed to endorse two different losing candidates in the same Senate race, a setback that is highlighting an experience deficit within the White House political team. "As the leader of the party, I would have liked to have had the seat," Trump acknowledged Wednesday, a day after a special Senate election in Alabama led to the election of Democrat Doug Jones.

GOP hopes Alabama loss is wakeup call for Trump White House

President Donald Trump managed to endorse two different losing candidates in the same Senate race, a setback that is highlighting an experience deficit within the White House political team. "As the leader of the party, I would have liked to have had the seat," Trump acknowledged Wednesday, a day after a special Senate election in Alabama led to the election of Democrat Doug Jones.

Outlook: Inching Toward Deals on Spending, Taxes

Congress now has until Dec. 22 to strike another agreement to keep the government running, while the tax conference officially kicks off this week. President Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, speaks before a meeting with congressional leaders including House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Trump to make case for GOP tax overhaul

President Trump will deliver a closing argument for the proposed Republican tax overhaul in a speech Wednesday, the same day that House and Senate conferees are to begin work on a blended bill. The president will deliver the speech in Washington, according to a person familiar with the plan who wasn't authorized to speak about it publicly.

Pence announces death of family cat Pickles

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen announced that their cat Pickle died this week, according to Karen Pence's Twitter account. The Pence family took two cats, Oreo and Pickle, a snake and a rabbit named Marlon Bundo to their new home at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington, D.C. Oreo died in June, according to the family.