Page 26 - HOSPITAAL

A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 26 July 2018

GOP, Dems focus on messages as summer recess, elections near

By ALAN FRAM paign advertising. Demo- for their kids or paying the
Associated Press crats need to gain 23 seats rent," said Rep. Susan Davis,
WASHINGTON (AP) — in November's midterms D-Calif.
House Democrats have a to capture House control, On the House Appropria-
plan for helping students which is widely seen as do- tions Committee, Demo-
afford the growing costs of able, so both sides are pro- crats were trying to pare
college, in part by creating ducing measures that may the $5 billion for Trump's
a partnership with states to go nowhere but can shore border wall in Republican
provide two years of tuition- up political weak spots or legislation financing the
free community college. embarrass the other party. Homeland Security De-
They also want to take $5 House Speaker Paul Ryan, partment. Democrats' real
billion House Republicans R-Wis., amplified the GOP clout to force that number
have proposed for Presi- message to reporters on down resides in the narrow-
dent Donald Trump's long- Tuesday, giving Republi- ly divided Senate, which
promised wall with Mexico cans credit for the strength- will have to reach compro-
and divert it to other immi- publicans would make last age-old campaign-season ening economy and using mise with the House before
gration programs. year's $1.5 trillion tax cut function for both parties: Democrats as a foil. the figure is finalized. But
One House-passed bill, permanent and expand re- honing their messages for "They've scoffed at Ameri- meanwhile, Democrats will
backed mostly by Repub- ductions for families, home- elections, just over 100 days cans who've benefited be able to argue to liberals,
licans, would repeal a tax schooling and businesses. away, in which the prize is from more money in their Hispanics and other sup-
imposed on some medical Lawmakers promoted congressional control. paychecks," he said, re- porters that they battled
devices to help pay for the each of these efforts this The House starts summer ferring to House Minority Trump's wall proposal.
"Obamacare" health care week, though none seems recess at week's end, and Leader Nancy Pelosi's com- A sizable hurdle facing
law, a statute the GOP likely to become law soon. lawmakers need argu- parison of GOP tax cuts for GOP messaging plans is
despises. With another, still Yet while the measures may ments to take home for the wealthy to the "crumbs" Trump, who dominates
a bare-bones outline, Re- languish, they perform an town halls and for cam- that went to lower earn- the spotlight by abruptly
ers. "They're determined to swerving onto distract-
erase this progress. Even ing issues. That's recently
more, they want to take included Trump's praising
this country to a dramati- Russian President Vladimir
cally different place, to the Putin while challenging his
far left." own intelligence and law
As evidence, Ryan cited re- enforcement agencies,
cent proposals from Demo- defending tariffs he's im-
crats' liberal wing to abolish posed that threaten trade
U.S. Customs and Immigra- wars and considering the
tion Enforcement and push removal of security clear-
for "Medicare for All," or ances for political oppo-
government-paid health nents. He's since said he
care. Many Democrats trusts U.S. intelligence, but
have distanced themselves has also invited Putin to the
from both ideas. White House.
Democrats produced am- With their latest tax cut
munition of their own. They push, Republicans hope
announced their "Aim High- to draw attention to an
er Act," which would make age-old GOP priority and
higher education more af- appeal to constituencies
fordable and restrict feder- including businesses, high-
al aid for for-profit schools earners and conservative
often criticized for huge homeschooling families.
student loan defaults. They Republicans are pay-
contrasted it with a GOP ing particular attention to
bill that would create new health care, which polls
partnerships between col- show remains a top con-
leges and industry but also cern for voters. Democrats
limit how much federal see it as their issue, thanks
education money students to lingering resentment
could borrow. over GOP efforts to disman-
"We want a world where tle former President Barack
parents don't have to Obama's now-popular
choose between college law.q