Republicans pose threat to Trump tax cuts

DONALD TRUMP’S flagship tax cuts are in jeopardy after Republican senators broke ranks to criticise his plans.

Congressmen from Mr Trump’s own party questioned the $1.5 trillion it would add to the deficit and a provision that would repeal a key part of Obamacare health legislation.

The US president went to Capitol Hill yesterday in an attempt to shore up support for the bill, which he initially wanted to call the “Cut, Cut, Cut Law”. He reportedly told congressmen to sell the changes as the “biggest tax cut in history” and wants it passed by Christmas.

The bill passed its first hurdle yesterday by being approved by the House of Representatives, where the Republicans have a sizeable majority.

It now moves to the Senate where just three Republicans voting against the bill would be enough to defeat it, given Democrat opposition.

Mr Trump has staked significant political capital on securing tax cuts after failing to pass any major legislation since entering the White House.

The proposed law will cut corporation tax from 35 per cent to 20 per cent and scrap an inheritance tax. It will also cut the number of income tax bands from seven to four and double the amount people can earn tax free.