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U.S. NEWS Saturday 16 december 2017

With Rubio, Corker onboard, GOP finalizing huge tax package

Continued from Front statement. “I think we are
Portman cast the bill as pro- better off with it. I realize
viding “the kind of middle- this is a bet on our coun-
class tax relief that’s des- try’s enterprising spirit, and
perately needed right now. that is a bet I am willing to
People are looking at flat make.”
wages and higher expens- Rubio had been holding
es, and this will help.” out for a bigger child tax
Democrats disagree, ar- credit for low-income fami-
guing that the legislation lies. After he got it, Rubio
would help wealthy Ameri- tweeted that the change is
cans and big business at “a solid step toward broad-
the expense of the poor er reforms which are both
and middle class. Pro-Growth and Pro-Work-
Members of a House-Sen- er.”
ate conference committee The tax package would
signed the final version of double the basic per-child
the legislation Friday, send- tax credit from $1,000 to
ing it to the two chambers $2,000. The bill makes a
for final passage next week. smaller amount available
They have been working to families even if they owe
to blend different versions no income tax. Rep. Kristi Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rubio
passed by the two houses. Noem, R-S.D., said Friday will vote for his party’s $1.5 trillion tax bill. That gives a major boost to the prospects that GOP
Corker had opposed the that that amount had been leaders will be able to push their prized measure through Congress next week.
Senate’s original version increased from $1,100 to (AP Photo/Pablo Monsivais)
of the bill out of concern $1,400. Rubio’s support. If they Senate Republican leaders middle-income families.
it would add to the na- Rubio had said he wanted had lost Rubio and Corker, on Wednesday forged an “I’m confident that at the
tion’s mounting $20 trillion the earlier $1,100 figure in- they would have been one agreement in principle on end of the day, the Sen-
in debt. In recent days, he creased. more defection away from the most sweeping over- ate will approve this con-
had said those concerns Low-income taxpayers defeat. On Thursday, mem- haul of the nation’s tax ference committee report
had not been allayed. would receive the money bers of the conservative laws in more than 30 years. because no one should be
“I know every bill we con- in the form of a tax refund, House Freedom Caucus The package would give defending the status quo
sider is imperfect and the which is why it’s called a predicted the vast major- generous tax cuts to cor- in this horrible tax code
question becomes, is our “refundable” tax credit. ity of their members would porations and the wealthi- Americans have had to live
country better off with or Senate Republicans support the package, est Americans — Trump with for too long,” said Rep.
without this piece of leg- passed their original tax bill boosting the bill’s chances among them — and more Kevin Brady of Texas, a top
islation?” Corker said in a by a vote of 51-49 — with in the House.House and modest tax cuts to low- and House negotiator.q
Trump assails FBI leadership, touts loyalty to police

Continued from Front praise on graduates of a alty.” Trump depicted a na- military equipment, and dropped precipitously over
The president’s broadside weeks-long FBI National tion besieged by violence, questioned rising violence the last quarter century.
appeared to reflect his an- Academy program for law using dark rhetoric that was in Chicago. “What the hell Gun violence in Chicago
ger over revelations that se- enforcement leaders from a stark departure from the is going on in Chicago? has dropped in 2017 from
nior FBI officials exchanged around the country. He language of his predeces- What the hell is happen- 2016 and of Dec. 10 there
anti-Trump and pro-Hillary praised the graduates, who sors. He evoked this week’s ing there?” asked Trump had been 620 homicides
Clinton text messages were trained on FBI stan- attempted terror attack in returning to a favorite compared to 730 at the
while working on last year’s dards, touting their accom- New York when he called campaign target. The law same time last year. Attor-
Clinton probe and dur- plishments and pledging his for stricter immigration poli- enforcement crowd often ney General Jeff Sessions,
ing special counsel Robert unwavering support. Trump cies. He also delivered a chuckled and applauded whose has faced Trump’s
Mueller’s investigation into told law enforcement lead- stern warning to members its approval. Trump has of- wrath after recusing him-
whether Trump associates ers he is “more loyal than of the international gang ten appeared at ease in self from the Russia probe,
colluded with Russian offi- anyone else could be” to MS-13 that his administra- front of police groups and distanced himself from
cials in the 2016 election. police. “Anti-police senti- tion will root them out and loves to suggest that they Trump’s criticism of the bu-
Trump laced into the bu- ment is wrong and it’s dan- arrest them. Trump cele- supported him in last year’s reau, saying he does not
reau as he was departing gerous,” he added. “Any- brated his decision to make campaign. Violent crime share a view that the FBI is
for its training academy in one who kills a police officer it easier for local police has increased nationally not functioning at a high
Virginia, where he lavished should get the death pen- forces to purchase surplus the last two years but has level all over the country.q