Senate passes tax bill

THE Republicans have pushed a nearly 1.5 trillion dollar (£1.11 trillion) tax bill through the US Senate after a burst of 11th-hour horse-trading, as a party starved all year for a major legislative triumph took a giant step toward giving President Donald Trump one of his top priorities by Christmas.

Polls show scant public enthusiasm for the measure. The measure focuses tax reductions on businesses and higher-earning individuals and gives modest breaks to others.

Republicans touted the package as one that would benefit people of all incomes and ignite the economy.