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.

Farenthold to retire from House amid harassment accusations

Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold won't seek re-election next year, two Republicans said Thursday, adding his name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics, the arts and other businesses. The accusations against Farenthold first surfaced in 2014, when a former aide sued him over sexually suggestive comments and behavior and said she'd been fired after she complained.

Support from Conservative Freedom Caucus boosts tax bill

Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus said Thursday they support a sweeping tax package speeding toward votes in Congress next week, giving GOP leaders a boost from a key faction as they work to deliver a major legislative victory to President Donald Trump. "I think it's going to pass.

Sources: House, Senate leaders reach deal on tax package

This Sept. 27, 2017 file photo shows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, joining Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and other GOP lawmakers to talk about the Republicans' proposed rewrite of the tax code for individuals and corporations, at the Capitol in Washington.

AP sources: House, Senate leaders reach deal on tax package

House and Senate GOP leaders forged an agreement Wednesday on a sweeping overhaul of the nation's tax laws, paving the way for final votes next week to slash taxes for businesses, give many Americans modest cuts and deliver the first major legislative accomplishment to President Donald Trump.

GOP tax plan trims top rate for wealthy, cuts corporate rate

This Sept. 27, 2017 file photo shows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, joining Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and other GOP lawmakers to talk about the Republicans' proposed rewrite of the tax code for individuals and corporations, at the Capitol in Washington.

Peter Morici: Tougher challenges than cutting taxes

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., meets with reporters as he encourages support for Republican tax reform legislation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. The recent surge in stock prices and bump to gross domestic product growth have been significantly assisted by an expected cut in corporate taxes, but to permanently lock in those gains and substantially improve the lives of ordinary voters, Republicans must quickly address health care, immigration, infrastructure and problems in higher education.

Republicans considering bumping corporate rate to 21 percent in tax plan as deal nears

House Speaker Paul Ryan arrives at a news conference regarding tax legislation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 12, 2017. Ryan here praised a one-page study released Monday by the Treasury Department showing the tax plan more than paying for itself, but only if high growth forecasts are met and if other Trump administration economic policies proposals are enacted.

Tax package would ease hit to residents of high-tax states

This Sept. 27, 2017 file photo shows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, joining Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and other GOP lawmakers to talk about the Republicans' proposed rewrite of the tax code for individuals and corporations, at the Capitol in Washington.

House Speaker Ryan says he believes upbeat Treasury tax study

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday defended a one-page analysis by the Treasury Department that asserted a tax plan pushed by the Republican-led Congress would pay for itself in 10 years. FILE PHOTO: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan speaks during his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2017.

Markey hits tax bill at UMass Lowell forum

The tax reform bill now in Congress is a "crime being perpetrated against ordinary people," U.S. Sen. Ed Markey told an audience in Lowell Sunday night. Markey addressed an audience of about 150 people at UMass Lowell, speaking on a wide range of topics, but frequently returned to the tax package and the budget bill, which Congress passed in late October.

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.

Doubts Rise About Sen. Collins’ Strategy To Shore Up Insurance Market

Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican whose vote was pivotal in pushing the GOP tax bill forward last week, thought she had a deal to bolster health care protections in exchange for her support. But it's now unclear wether her strategy to shore up part of the Affordable Care Act will prevail or that it would produce the results she anticipates.

Markey: Tax plan an assault on Bay Staters

U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey is slamming the Republican tax plan as a measure that would disproportionately hurt Bay State residents and is sounding off on calls to go after entitlement programs next year. "This Republican tax plan is a direct assault on Massachusetts families and their way of life," Markey said.

Arizona GOP lawmaker resigns over surrogacy allegation

Republican Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona said Thursday he is resigning next month after revealing that he discussed surrogacy with two female staffers. The eight-term lawmaker, a staunch conservative and fierce opponent of abortion, said in a statement that he never physically intimidated, coerced or attempted to have any sexual contact with any member of his congressional staff.