Trump Talks Taxes At Senate GOP Luncheon
by Countable | 10.24.17
What’s the story?
President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans during their weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday. The President discussed tax reform and the opioid epidemic, but avoided mentioning his early-morning feud with Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) and the protester who threw Russian flags at Trump as he entered the Capitol.
It was Trump’s first appearance as president at the weekly luncheon.
Once the meal wrapped, and Trump departed without remarks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) told the press:
"We had the president at lunch today and he went over all the items the administration has been working on. Much of which - I agree with him - the administration hadn't gotten nearly enough credit for."
Topics discussed at the lunch include:
Tax reform
Sen. John Thune (SD) said that much of the lunch focused on the president discussing "what we can do to help ordinary Americans middle income families improve their economic standing, that's what the focus of tax reform is about."
He added, "We're on tax reform because it's unacceptable that half of families say they're living paycheck to paycheck."
McConnell said he was "hopeful" the House will pass its budget so Congress “can begin the process of tax reform.”
The opioid epidemic
Last week, the President announced that he’d soon be releasing his plan on combating the opioid crisis.
Following the luncheon, McConnell told reporters:
"We have a national epidemic of historic proportions and the administration has correctly seized on this issue."
Party loyalty
Sen. Corker and President Trump exchanged a war of words on Tuesday morning, with Corker accusing the President of "debasing" the country with his “untruths,” “name-calling” and “attempted bullying.”
In response, Trump tweeted:
Bob Corker, who helped President O give us the bad Iran Deal & couldn't get elected dog catcher in Tennessee, is now fighting Tax Cuts....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2017
McConnell sidestepped questions about the spat, telling reporters that he didn’t have "an observation" about the Twitter feud.
"We're here to try to accomplish things for the American people, we're all on the same page," the Majority leader said. "If there is anything all Republicans think is important to the country and to our party, it is comprehensive tax reform."
"We're going to concentrate on what our agenda is and not any of these other distractions that you all may be interested in."
Departing the luncheon, Corker told reporters that lunch was "delicious" but that tax reform “barely came up.” He noted he “didn’t partake” in the lunch conversation, but he “normally” doesn’t.
Shortly after the luncheon, Sen. Jeff Flake announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2018. In a speech aimed at President Trump, the Arizona senator condemned the "flagrant disregard of truth and decency" that is undermining American democracy.
‘‘There are times we must risk our careers,’’ Flake said from Senate floor. ‘‘Now is such a time.’’
Are Senate Republicans discussing the issues that matter to you? What would you like them to discuss at their next weekly luncheon? Hit Take Action, tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
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(Photo Credit: MichellePatrickPhotographyLLC / iStockphoto)
Written by Countable
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Republicans know that President Trump’s actions are unacceptable but still you do not put our country first. Stand up for what is right!
It is quite a feat that Republicans are able to claim that this "tax reform" is designed to benefit the middle class. Every analysis of the plan shows the vast majority of benefits go to the wealthy. In fact, the top 1% would gain half the overall benefits in 2018. This tax plan is a joke and designed for wealthy donors, not everyday Americans.
“Trickle Down” is like Charlie Brown waiting for the Great Pumpkin; it never arrives!!
The tax reform that #45 and the GOP are proposing will only help the upper class and wealthy businessmen. Gutting Medicare and Medicaid is unacceptable. #45's agenda and the GOP will do nothing but, and is,tearing America apart. Trickle down economics does not work. If you beleven that it does you're only fooling yourself.
‘Conservative tax reform’ has always been code for the wealthy pay less, the rest pay more, programs that benefit the most citizens are cut and programs benefiting the wealthy get funded... Conservatives talking about tax reform is like the Wizard of OZ telling us to pay no attention to the man behind the curtains...
Vote no No tax breaks for the wealthy Stop stripping the middle class and poor of their rights and their money
Senator Gardner, how do: eliminating estate tax, cutting top tax rates and lowering rates on pass through corporations help middle and lower class tax payers? Please answer without using the widely disproven "trickle down" argument.
The fact that republicans keep giving massive tax cuts to the rich and claiming “trickle down” will grow the economy, even though history has proven that Reagan age and “W” age tax cuts failed to do so, proves that they don’t really care about truth or about helping the middle class. They’re doing these tax cuts not to grow the economy, but to make those funding them richer. They have no respect for their constituents, and they’re not really concerned about helping anyone. I wonder why most of them ran for office at all.
Boy, it would be nice to see Sen Young show some backbone ala Sen Corker and Sen Flake. Your willingness to accept the undignified and disgraceful behavior of the president reflects poorly on every member of your party. We're a global embarrassment.
Corker and Flake are really out there President Trump has done more to advance America in the Short time he has been President than Obama and congress has done in the last 8 yrs. I haven’t seen any good come from Coker and the things he has said about our President is not right because nobody lies more than congress and he probably cannot win in 2018 anyway. I am sure Flake could not win another election that is why he says he will not run again. I can say we are glad to be rid of you
Please don’t screw over the middle class, we’ve worked hard for what we have and value, you are whittling away what’s left. I admire Sen Flakes speech today. Take it to heart.
Congratulations to Jeff Flake. And Bob Corker. When are the rest of you going to get some balls and stand up to the elephant in the room before Trump and company totally destroy this country.
Republicans please stop repeating the fiction that tax cuts particularly for the wealthy promote economic growth, it is flat out false. The Bush II tax cuts added 5 trillion to the debt, and promote growth. In fact, the Bush I and Clinton tax increases promoted growth. The same has been true at the state level Kansas crashed their economy with cuts, and California energized theirs with a tax increase. Furthermore how does eliminating the estate tax help the middle class? It only takes effect on estates greater than 5.5 million. However it certainly helps the Trump children as they will save 1 billion on their Dad's estimated 3.5 billion estate.
They can’t tell the truth about the tax reform because the truth is that this is not a tax cut for the middle class, this is a billionaire tax cut scam. They just lie over and over again but eventually the voters will find out. Also the deficit they have been screaming about for the past 10 years, that’s out the window because this scam, if passed, will add 2 to 5.5 TRILLION to the deficit in the next decade. Koch Brothers told them not to worry about the deficit. And we know the Koch’s are their masters. Hypocrisy at its finest.
While I disagree with many of Flake’s policies, I stand up and applaud Flake’s speech today speaking out against this dangerous and incompetent Trump administration. Flake has earned my respect and I urge all Americans, especially those in government, to heed his warnings. The rest of the GOP must put country ahead of politics and IMPEACH TRUMP!! Meanwhile, no support for ANY tax changes until Trump releases his taxes.
Republicans had better stand up for America before the demigod trump completely ruins it..country first for God's sake! Stop being cowards and stand up for decency and morals!
Flat tax rate , with mortgage interest deduction for primary residence only. Is the only truly fair tax. Otherwise tax only people making 200,000 a year or more a flat tax , that would do more fire the economy than billionaires making 10 ,000,000 's in tax savings under current proposals. Don't you politicians (GOP) have any sense at all ❗️🇺🇸
Country over party senators and representatives!
Another behind closed doors meeting to decide our future!!!
So the majority of the republican congress have sold their souls just to get their tax cuts for the wealthy through. Remaining silent on all the debasing trump has done to what our country used to stand for. I just don’t understand why. Cowardliness to stand up for what is right is so apparent and appalling to most Americans. But hey as long as the contributions keep filling their coffers republicans, at least the majority,don’t care.