CONGRESS/GOP/MIDDLE CLASS/TAXES/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump and the top Republican tax-writer in Congress, House and Ways Means Chair Kevin Brady of Texas, conceded on Wednesday [10-31-18] there was zero chance that middle-class Americans will see their taxes cut this year. It was the first time the White House had returned to a last-ditch campaign promise since the President made the pledge at a rally in Nevada almost two weeks ago. The statement effectively closed the door on any chance of pushing through a tax cut this year. Even as Trump has crisscrossed the country this week stumping for GOP members in the run-up to next Tuesday’s [11-6-18] midterm elections, he has been noticeably mute on the issue…The joint statement appeared to rule out any chance that legislation could be taken up during the lame duck session when lawmakers return to Washington after the elections. Two weeks before voters headed to the polls, the President promised middle-class Americans another tax cut, saying it would be introduced by Congress in a week or two…But in recent days that promise appeared to fade as even Brady tried to provide some political cover for the President’s tax proposal, stressing it would be a top priority for the next Congress only if Republicans are able to maintain their leadership in both chambers.”
–Donna Borak, “Trump, top House Republican admit there’s no chance of a middle class tax cut this year,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, October 31, 2018 7:28 pm