GOP weighs mixing health law, tax cuts

The House's leading tax writer on Friday opened the possibility that Congress' push to cut taxes could mesh with its so-far failed effort to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, saying the tax bill could include a measure to do away with the health law's mandate that most Americans have health coverage. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said no decision had been made about whether to include repeal of the so-called individual mandate.

Trump promises tax cuts as Senate GOP paves way with budget

President Donald Trump promised tax cuts Friday "which will be the biggest in the history of our country" following Senate passage of a $4 trillion budget that lays the groundwork for Republicans ' promised tax legislation. Republicans hope to push the first tax overhaul in three decades through Congress by year's end, an ambitious goal that would fulfill multiple campaign promises but could run aground over any number of disputes.

Trump pledges biggest tax cuts ever as Senate paves way

President Donald Trump promised tax cuts Friday "which will be the biggest in the history of our country!" following Senate passage of a $4 trillion budget that lays the groundwork for Republicans' promised tax legislation. Republicans hope to push the first tax overhaul in three decades through Congress by year's end, an ambitious goal that would fulfill multiple campaign promises but could run aground over any number of disputes.

Senate GOP backs budget, clears way for tax overhaul

Republicans must now shift their focus to enacting President Donald Trump's sweeping tax plan, a far heavier lift than the $4 trillion budget plan they've muscled through the Senate to lay the groundwork for the first tax overhaul in three decades. The GOP on Thursday narrowly backed the budget plan, a prerequisite to major tax legislation.

Senate Republicans cruise toward passage of budget plan

Senate Republicans are on track to pass a $4 trillion budget plan that shelves GOP deficit concerns in favor of the party's drive to cut taxes. The nonbinding budget plan, slated for a vote late Thursday, would set the stage for tax legislation later this year that could pass through the Senate without fear of a filibuster by Democrats - and add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

Opinion: Working Around Trump on Issues That Matter

Sens. Charles E. Grassley and Richard J. Durbin sponsored a bipartisan bill that would reduce mandatory sentences for low-level drug offenders. The kiss-and-make-up press conference with President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was one of the most awkward dates in the history of, well, dates, as my Roll Call colleague Walter Shapiro pointed out.

Trump tries to sell tax reform to Democrats

President Donald Trump intensified his efforts to sell Democrats on his tax reform plan on Wednesday even as Senate Republicans edged closer to passing a budget measure that would push forward a tax bill without Democratic support. Trump, whose plan would bestow up to $6 trillion in tax cuts on businesses and individuals over the next decade, talked with 18 members of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, including Republicans and Democrats.

GOP budget that’s key to taxes moving ahead in Senate

A U.S. judge has blocked the third version of a travel ban issued by President Donald Trump this year. It's still unclear whether the congressional committees looking into the interference will come to firm conclusions about whether President Donald Trump's campaign was involved, or if they have found any direct evidence of any collaboration with Russia.

Senate moves ahead on GOP budget that’s key to taxes

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks from his office to the chamber for the start of the legislative day, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. less Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks from his office to the chamber for the start of the legislative day, at the Capitol in Washington, ... more WASHINGTON - The Senate is moving ahead on a Republican budget plan, a critical step in President Donald Trump and the party's politically imperative drive to cut taxes and simplify the IRS code.

Rand Paul Endorses Roy Moore in Alabama Senate Race, Annoys Libertarians

If ever there were a would-be colleague who someone of even slight libertarian tendencies should be leery of, it is Roy Moore. Sen. Rand Paul , who among other labels he's used for himself includes "constitutional conservative ," today officially endorsed Republican Alabama Senate candidate, and former state Supreme Court judge, Roy Moore, who likes to describe himself that way as well.

Republican Senator Paul threatens ‘no’ vote on budget plan

Republican Senator Rand Paul on Tuesday threatened to vote 'no' on a budget resolution Republican leaders aim to bring up for a vote this week unless they decide to stick with spending caps, potentially putting the party's tax cut plans at risk. "I have told the White House and leaders that if they simply stick to their own caps, the rest of the budget is fine and I'll vote yes," Paul wrote on Twitter.

For War Hawks, Iran Deal Dump Is Music to the Ears

Donald Trump is expected to tell Congress as early as Friday that he will not to re-certify Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action . The Iran Nuclear Review Agreement Act, also known as Corker-Cardin, obliges the president to make this certification every 90 days.

Trump begins Obamacare dismantling with executive order

President Donald Trump took his first steps Thursday toward fulfilling his vow to dismantle Obamacare, signing an executive order that he says will bring affordable health insurance to millions more people. The order broadly tasks the administration with developing policies to increase health care competition and choice in order to improve the quality of health care and lower prices.

The Latest: Trump pushes Sen. Rand Paul to support tax plan

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., smiles at President Donald Trump during an event to sign an executive order on health care in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Washington. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., smiles at President Donald Trump during an event to sign an executive order on health care in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Washington.

In case you didn’t take Trump’s threat to the First Amendment seriously

President Donald Trump's supporters have reveled in his and his administration's assault on the media. Trumpkins were thrilled when then-chief strategist Stephen Bannon declared the media to be the "opposition party."

President Trump working on bill to punish firms for sending jobs overseas

President Donald Trump is working on legislation that would create new incentives for companies to keep jobs in the U.S. and punish those that move overseas, he said on Tuesday. Precise details of the legislation could not be learned, and it's unclear whether it is close to being introduced or still in the drafting stages.

White House to order health care alternatives

The White House is finalizing an executive order that would expand health plans offered by associations to allow individuals to pool together and buy insurance outside their states, a unilateral move that follows failed efforts by Congress to overhaul the health care system. President Donald Trump has long asserted that selling insurance across state lines would trigger competition that brings down premiums for people buying their own policies.