House GOP unveils tax cuts in election agenda
House WASHINGTON —
Minority leaderKevinMcCarthy rolled out Republicans’ priorities of tax breaks and police funding Tuesday, the GOP’s calling card to voters as they try towrest back seats from Democrats in a longshot November election bid for majority control.
Republicans campaigning alongside President Donald Trump are promising to restore the country to the way itwas before theCOVID19 crisis hit, tapping into the same themes of health care and infrastructure investment that have been mainstays of the Democratic platform. They’re also taking a page from Trump’s playbook by portraying Democrats as aligned with the racial injustice protests in
American cities, vowing a tougher approach.
“Republicans helped build the greatest economy in a generation and the American way of life was thriving,” saidMcCarthy, flanked by lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol, to present the “Commitment to America.” He said, “We willdoit again.”
Republicans are bracing for a tough campaign for control of Congress in the fall, needing to flip some 19 seats to take over control of the House from Democrats. The Senate has a slim GOP majority that’s at risk.
The GOP rollout comes as House Democrats are vowing to try again to pass a new round of coronavirus relief after a Senate bill collapsed last week. Democrats said late Monday at the Capitol that leadership would consider extending the legislative session intoOctober if a new aid bill could be approved.
House Republicans typically present their own priorities for the campaigns, dating back 30 years to thenleaderNewt Gingrich’s “Contract with America.” But it’s especiallyimportantthisyear after the broaderRepublican Party underTrumpdeclined to present a GOP platform at the Republican National Convention.
“We need to double down onacommitment toGodand the Constitution,” said Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.
The House Republicans’ economic priorities include new tax breaks for businesses, forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans for companies struggling during the coronavirus shutdown, and making the 2017 GOP tax cuts for families permanent.