House Republicans seek more tax cuts as elections near

WASHINGTON – House Republicans are taking a second crack at tax cuts, building on last year’s massive bill by moving to make permanent individual tax cuts and deductions for small-business income.

The effort comes a few months before midterm elections and is being framed as a benefit for the middle class and small businesses.

Polls are showing mixed support among voters for the $1.5 trillion package of individual and corporate tax cuts that President Donald Trump signed into law as his marquee legislative achievement.

The new tax proposals are aimed at giving Republican lawmakers a selling point as they prepare to leave Washington to campaign in their districts.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon says the GOP is trying to cover up “broken middle-class promises” from the previous tax law.