GOP/HOUSE OF REPS/TAXES: “The House, forced to vote a second time on the $1.5 trillion tax bill, moved swiftly to pass the final version on Wednesday [12-20-17], clearing the way for President Trump to sign into law the most sweeping tax overhaul in decades.
House lawmakers approved the tax bill 224 to 201 on Wednesday, after being forced to vote on the bill again after last-minute revisions were made to the Senate bill, which passed that chamber 51-48 early Wednesday morning.
The final House vote was essentially a formality, as the changes, which were made to comply with Senate budget rules, did not significantly alter the overall bill. But the need for a second vote gave ammunition to Democrats, who had already accused Republicans of trying to rush the tax overhaul through the House and Senate…
The tax rewrite is the biggest legislative achievement for Republicans since they gained full control of Congress and the White House. The tax bill delivers deep and permanent tax cuts for corporations while providing temporary tax cuts for individual taxpayers, including the wealthiest Americans.”
-Thomas Kaplan, “House Gives Final Approval to Sweeping Tax Overhaul,” The New York Times online, Dec. 20, 2017 09:55am