MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Trump tax cuts bill passes the House, but the Senate is another story

President Trump has served as cheerleader-in-chief for the measure, calling the bill a “big, beautiful Christmas present” for families.

House Republicans have passed a controversial overhaul of the US tax code that slashes corporate rates. The vote came after US President Donald Trump made a rare visit to Congress to rally lawmakers around the tax overhaul plan. The Senate is working to build support for its own version of the bill, but one Republican has said he is a 'no'.

 The plan also faces stiff opposition from the Democrats, who say it is a give-away to the wealthiest Americans. The Republicans' attempts to pass the most significant overhaul of the US tax code since 1986 are a critical test for the party and president.

Republicans have called for changes to the code for years, but did not have support from the White House until President Trump's election. He has served as cheerleader-in-chief for the measure, calling the bill a “big, beautiful Christmas present” for families.

The bill cleared the House 227-205, without Democratic support. Thirteen Republicans also voted no. Representative Paul Ryan, who leads Republicans in the House, called it a “historic day”. The White House celebrated the House vote as a “big step”.

“A simple, fair, and competitive tax code will be rocket fuel for our economy, and it's within our reach,” the press secretary said in a statement after the vote. “Now is the time to deliver.”

Analysts also expect Republicans in the Senate to pass the measure without Democratic votes and later reconcile the two versions. But Republicans are facing some opponents within their own party, which could endanger the legislation's prospects.

Without Democratic support, the Senate can afford to lose only two Republican votes and last Wednesday Senator Ron Johnson, from Wisconsin, said he does not support the bill and does not think it does enough to help small businesses.

Broadly speaking, the Republican proposal would slash the corporate rate from 35% to 20% and change how overseas profits and payment from overseas subsidiaries are taxed.

It would also eliminate a range of targeted benefits for individuals and families, in favor of boosting the amount people can deduct from their tax bill. Supporters say the bill offers tax relief and will boost economic growth. Republicans estimate that the average American family of four will see their taxes lowered by US$1,182.

But critics say the biggest beneficiaries will be large firms and very wealthy families. While many households could see lower taxes at first, over time some of those benefits would expire.

The House plan would cost more than US$1.4tn to 2027, while the Senate version would cost US$1.5tn, according to estimates from the Joint Committee on Taxation.