INTERNACIONAL
GOP push to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, say going back would be a ‘dramatic’ change for many
Tax season is done.
And this year, Congressional Republicans converted tax season to «sales» season. Republicans and President Donald Trump are pushing to approve a bill to reauthorize his 2017 tax cut package. Otherwise, those taxes expire later this year.
«We absolutely have to make the tax cuts permanent,» said Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., on FOX Business.
«We’ve got to get the renewal of the President’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. That’s absolutely essential,» said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., on FOX Business.
Rates for nearly every American spike if Congress doesn’t act within the next few months.
CONFIDENCE IN DEMOCRATS HITS ALL TIME LOW IN NEW POLL
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with the media after the House passed the budget resolution on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«We are trying to avoid tax increases on the most vulnerable populations in our country,» said Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee which determines tax policy. «I am trying to avoid a recession.»
If Congress stumbles, the non-partisan Tax Foundation estimates that a married couple with two children – earning $165,000 a year – is slapped with an extra $2,400 in taxes. A single parent with no kids making $75,000 annually could see a $1,700 upcharge on their tax bill. A single parent with two children bringing home $52,000 a year gets slapped with an additional $1,400 in taxes a year.
«Pretty significant. That’s an extra mortgage payment or extra rent payment,» said Daniel Bunn of the non-partisan Tax Foundation. «People have been kind of used to living with the policies that are currently in law for almost eight years now. And the shift back to the policy that was prior to the 2017 tax cuts would be a dramatic tax increase for many.»
But technically, Republicans aren’t cutting taxes.
«As simple as I can make this bill. It is about keeping tax rates the same,» said Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, on Fox.
Congress had to write the 2017 tax reduction bill in a way so that the reductions would expire this year. That was for accounting purposes. Congress didn’t have to count the tax cuts against the deficit thanks to some tricky number-crunching mechanisms – so long as they expired within a multi-year window. But the consequence was that taxes could climb if lawmakers failed to renew the old reductions.
«It sunsets and so you just automatically go back to the tax levels prior to 2017,» said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.
A recent Fox News poll found that 45% of those surveyed – and 44% of independents believe the rich don’t pay enough taxes.
Democrats hope to turn outrage about the perceived tax disparity against Trump.
«He wants his billionaire buddies to get an even bigger tax break. Is that disgraceful?» asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., at a rally in New York.
«Disgrace!» shouted someone in the crowd.
«Disgraceful! Disgraceful!» followed up Schumer.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., (R) speaks alongside Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., (L) to reporters during a news conference on the impacts of the Republican budget proposal at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Some Republicans are now exploring raising rates on the wealthy or corporations. There’s been chatter on Capitol Hill and in the administration about exploring an additional set of tax brackets.
«I don’t believe the president has made a determination on whether he supports it or not,» said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
«We’re going to see where the President is» on this, said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent while traveling in Argentina. «Everything is on the table.»
A Treasury spokesperson then clarified Bessent’s remarks.
«What’s off the table is a $4.4 trillion tax increase on the American people,» said the spokesperson. «Additionally, corporate tax cuts will set off a manufacturing boom and rapidly grow the U.S. economy again.»
Top Congressional GOP leaders dismissed the idea.
«I’m not a big fan of doing that,» said House Speaker Mike Johnson on Fox. «I mean we’re the Republican party and we’re for tax reduction for everyone.»
FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTS DOGE ACCESS TO PERSONALIZED SOCIAL SECURITY DATA
«I don’t support that initiative,» said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., on FOX Business, before adding «everything’s on the table.»
But if you’re President Donald Trump and the GOP, consider the politics of creating a new corporate tax rate or hiking taxes on the well-to-do.
Sunrise light hits the U.S. Capitol dome on Thursday, January 2, 2025, as the 119th Congress is set to begin Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The president has expanded the GOP base. Republicans are no longer the party of the «wealthy.» Manual laborers, shop and storekeepers and small business persons now comprise Trump’s GOP. So maintaining these tax cuts helps with that working-class core. Raising taxes on the wealthy would help Republicans pay for the tax cuts and reduce the hit on the deficit. And it would shield Republicans from the Democrats’ argument that the tax cuts are for the rich.
Congress is now in the middle of a two-week recess for Passover and Easter. GOP lawmakers and staff are working behind the scenes to actually write the bill. No one knows exactly what will be in the bill. Trump promised no taxes on tips for food service workers. There is also talk of no taxes on overtime.
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BLUNTLY SHOWS WHERE PARTIES STAND ON IMMIGRATION AMID ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION
Republicans from high-tax states like New York and Pennsylvania want to see a reduction of «SALT.» That’s where taxpayers can write off «state and local taxes.» This provision is crucial to secure the support of Republicans like Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. But including the SALT reduction also increases the deficit.
So what will the bill look like?
«Minor adjustments within that are naturally on the table,» said Rounds. «The key though, [is] 218 in the House and 51 in the Senate.»
In other words, it’s about the math. Republicans need to develop the right legislative brew which commands just the right amount of votes in both chambers to pass. That could mean including certain provisions – or dumping others. It’s challenging. Especially with the slim House majority.
People attend a press conference and rally in support of fair taxation near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on April 10, 2025. (Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP)
«There were trade-offs and offsets within that bill that many people are dissatisfied with,» said Bunn of the 2017 bill. «And it’s not clear how the package is going to come together with those various trade-offs.»
Johnson wants the bill complete by Memorial Day. Republicans know this enterprise can’t drag on too late into the year. Taxpayers would see a tax increase – even if it’s temporary – if working out the bill stretches into the fall when the IRS begins to prepare for the next tax season.
It’s also thought that finishing this sooner rather than later would provide some stability to the volatile stock markets. Establishing tax policy for next year would calm anxieties about the nation’s economic outlook.
«The big, beautiful bill,» Trump calls it, adding he wants the legislation done «soon.»
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And that’s why tax season is now sales season. Both to the lawmakers. And to the public.
Politics,Taxes,Congress,Donald Trump
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Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, both progressive «Squad» members, lashed out at President Donald Trump on Saturday in response to his decision to strike Iran.
«Trump has launched an illegal regime change war,» Omar posted on X. «As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos.»
Omar, who fled Somalia as a refugee as a young child, added, «When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.»
Tlaib reacted on social media to a clip of Trump acknowledging that there may be American casualties in this attack.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib at her side, speaks at a press conference. (Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
«He doesn’t care about our loved ones in the military,» Tlaib posted on X in a message that was reposted by Omar. «He doesn’t care about the fact that Americans don’t want this war.»
«He doesn’t care about the Iranian people. He is corrupted. Don’t fall for the lies.»
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also slammed President Donald Trump for abandoning diplomacy in favor of launching an attack against Iran, predicting the outcome will be «catastrophic.»
«The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want by a president who does not care about the long-term consequences of his actions. This war is unlawful. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic,» Ocasio-Cortez said.
«Just this week, Iran and the United States were negotiating key measures that could have staved off war. The President walked away from these discussions and chose war instead. President Trump flippantly acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, stating ‘that often happens in war,’» she continued. «Mr. President: this was not an inevitability. This is a deliberate choice of aggression when diplomacy and security were within reach. Stop lying to the American people.
Democratic Rep. Greg Casar, another progressive House member associated with the informal «Squad» group, called Trump’s actions an «illegal war» in a post on X.
«Yet again, an American president is sending other people’s kids to risk their lives in a senseless regime change war,» Casar said.
The U.S. and Israel launched the joint attack just after 9 a.m. local time in what the Pentagon has dubbed «Operation Epic Fury.»
IF KHAMENEI FALLS, WHO TAKES IRAN? STRIKES WILL EXPOSE POWER VACUUM — AND THE IRGC’S GRIP
In video remarks posted to Truth Social, Trump addressed the Iranian people directly and told them to «seize control of [their] destiny.»
«The hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,» Trump said. «This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want.»
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
While Trump focused some of his message on empowering the people of Iran, he stated that the intent of the operation is to «defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,» which he described as «vicious» and «very hard, terrible people.»
Trump also said that while there may be American casualties as a result, the mission is «noble» as it is aimed at stopping a «wicked, radical dictatorship» from threatening American national security interests and destabilizing the Middle East.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report
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politics,iran,ilhan omar,rashida tlaib
INTERNACIONAL
Gulf states condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territories following US-Israeli operation
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Arab nations are sounding off against Iran after the regime launched strikes against U.S. interests in neighboring countries in the region in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli joint strikes against Iran’s leaders.
The Iranian response targeted all U.S. bases in the Gulf, except for U.S. bases in Oman, Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported, since the Omani foreign minister had tried to mediate the nuclear talks in Geneva, even flying to Washington, D.C., to meet Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Friday to try to avert what is quickly turning into a regional war.
Griffin reported that approximately 40 missiles had landed in Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. military in Iraq intercepted at least one missile targeting U.S. facilities. Additionally, Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported.
Iran also launched missiles at Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where the U.S. has squadrons of advanced fighter jets, Griffin reported.
This map shows the targets of Iran’s retaliatory strikes. (Fox News)
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were among the Gulf states that condemned the Iranian strikes, with many saying they reserve the right to defend themselves and respond accordingly to attacks on their sovereign territories.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it reserves its «full right» to defend itself after what it described as Iranian aggression targeting Qatari territory. Its Defense Ministry said it «successfully thwarted a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory» after multiple rounds of alerts sounded. Authorities reported no immediate injuries or damage in residential areas.
The locations of U.S. military bases throughout the Gulf are seen in relation to Iran. (Fox News)
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it affirmed «its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries» and warned of «grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.»
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The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense said the country «was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,» adding that air defense systems «successfully intercepted a number of missiles.» Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused «one civilian death of an Asian nationality» and material damage.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported that Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported. (Fox News)
The ministry called the attack «a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability,» and stated the UAE «reserves its full right to respond.»
Jordan’s foreign minister wrote a series of posts on X, saying that King Abdullah II «condemns the attack on the territories of Jordan, and any attacks on Arab countries,» expressing Jordan’s «solidarity with the brotherly Arab countries in confronting any aggressions that affect their sovereignty, security, and stability.»
Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it also «strongly condemns the Iranian attacks,» adding that it «affirms its full solidarity with these fellow Arab States and firmly rejects any violation of their sovereignty, any threat to their security, or any action undermining their stability.»
Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Meanwhile, the Omani Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
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«The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Sultanate of Oman’s profound regret over the military operations launched by Israel and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning of the danger of the conflict expanding into consequences that cannot be rectified in the region,» the Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to X’s translation.
«The Sultanate of Oman considers this action to be in contravention of the rules of international law and the principle of resolving issues through peaceful means rather than hostile means, the shedding of blood, and calls on all parties to immediately suspend military operations, while urging the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to impose a ceasefire and for the international community to take a clear stance in support of international law,» it added.
Fox News Digital’s Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
iran,middle east,saudi arabia,lebanon,middle east foreign policy,world
INTERNACIONAL
Más de 25 estados bajo alerta por tres tormentas invernales con riesgo de hielo y cortes eléctricos
Durante el último fin de semana de febrero y los primeros días de marzo de 2026, una cadena de tres tormentas invernales comenzó a afectar a más de veinticinco estados del centro y noreste de Estados Unidos, generando nevadas, hielo y descensos abruptos de temperatura que impactan la vida cotidiana de millones de personas. El fenómeno, resultado de la interacción entre masas de aire frío provenientes de Canadá y flujos cálidos del Golfo de México, mantiene activas alertas y advertencias oficiales en una amplia franja del país.
Según reportes del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (NWS) y la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA), los sistemas meteorológicos avanzan de oeste a este y presentan variabilidad en la cantidad de nieve y hielo esperada para cada región. Las proyecciones de las agencias especializadas, citadas por medios como The Weather Channel, indican que las tormentas actuales no superarían la magnitud de la tormenta de nieve que recientemente bloqueó el noreste, aunque podrían generar interrupciones en el transporte y el suministro de energía.
El antecedente inmediato es el temporal registrado a mediados de febrero, que dejó acumulaciones superiores a 60 centímetros en varias ciudades clave del noreste, según The Weather Channel. Esa tormenta obligó a declarar emergencias estatales y movilizar recursos de respuesta en estados como Nueva York, Nueva Jersey y Massachusetts, estableciendo un precedente para la alerta y la preparación ante los nuevos episodios invernales.
La primera ronda de tormentas comenzó el sábado 28 de febrero, con nevadas que iniciaron en Montana y las Dakotas, avanzando hacia el Medio Oeste y los Grandes Lagos durante la noche, de acuerdo con la NOAA. Las acumulaciones previstas para este primer evento se sitúan por debajo de los 8 centímetros (3 pulgadas) en la mayoría de los lugares, aunque ciertas áreas montañosas y zonas de esquí podrían recibir cantidades superiores. Ciudades como Pittsburgh, Albany y Manchester figuran entre las principales afectadas, según el NWS.
Para la madrugada del domingo, se esperaba nieve ligera en áreas metropolitanas como Nueva York, Boston y Providence, con acumulaciones cercanas a 2,5 centímetros (1 pulgada). Modelos consultados por el NWS advierten que algunas localidades de Nueva Inglaterra, especialmente en zonas de montaña, podrían registrar acumulados por encima de los 7,5 centímetros (3 pulgadas).
La tormenta de mediados de febrero, según The Weather Channel, dejó registros históricos de acumulación, con más de 60 centímetros (24 pulgadas) de nieve en ciudades como Filadelfia y Nueva York, acompañados de vientos sostenidos superiores a 64 kilómetros por hora (40 mph). Las autoridades meteorológicas recalcan que los sistemas actuales presentan una dinámica diferente, con acumulaciones menores y una distribución más dispersa de la precipitación.
El NWS sostiene que la magnitud de las tormentas de este fin de semana no alcanzará la severidad del episodio anterior, aunque mantiene el monitoreo sobre posibles impactos localizados, especialmente en áreas vulnerables a cortes de energía y bloqueos viales.
El segundo sistema, previsto para la noche del domingo 1 de marzo, surge de la interacción entre un frente frío y aire cálido y húmedo proveniente del Golfo de México. Según la NOAA, este fenómeno favorecerá la aparición de lluvias, nieve y episodios de lluvia congelante en el Medio Oeste y la región de los Grandes Lagos. Ciudades como St. Louis, Kansas City, Louisville e Indianápolis se encuentran bajo vigilancia especial por acumulaciones mixtas.
Las previsiones oficiales sitúan las acumulaciones de nieve entre 2,5 y 7,6 centímetros (1 a 3 pulgadas), mientras que las capas de hielo rara vez superarán los 2,5 milímetros (0,10 pulgadas). El NWS informó que “la amenaza de interrupciones graves en el transporte o en la red eléctrica será menor que en el evento anterior”. Sin embargo, la institución aconseja precaución en zonas donde la precipitación congelante coincida con temperaturas cercanas a cero.
El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional mantiene avisos de tormenta invernal y advertencias por bajas temperaturas desde Montana hasta Massachusetts. Las autoridades estatales de Nueva York, Pensilvania y Massachusetts han recomendado evitar desplazamientos no esenciales y mantener reservas de artículos básicos ante posibles interrupciones de servicios. La Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) recordó la importancia de preparar suministros y contar con alternativas de calefacción.
Las áreas rurales y regiones boscosas del noreste y el medio oeste son las más propensas a experimentar cortes de energía, ya que la acumulación de hielo puede dañar líneas eléctricas y árboles. El NWS señaló que “los descensos bruscos de temperatura aumentan el riesgo de averías en infraestructuras y accidentes viales por superficies resbaladizas”.
El tercer episodio invernal, que se espera alcance su mayor intensidad el martes 3 de marzo, se caracteriza por un flujo de aire húmedo desde el sur que choca con masas de aire frío persistente en el noreste. De acuerdo con la NOAA, este sistema dejará lluvias sobre la costa atlántica y precipitaciones de nieve o hielo en el interior, principalmente al norte de la Interestatal 90 y en los valles de Pensilvania y Nueva York.
Las proyecciones indican que las zonas de mayor elevación en Nueva Inglaterra y el norte del estado de Nueva York podrían acumular hasta 15 centímetros (6 pulgadas) de nieve hasta el miércoles 4 de marzo. Regiones como Virginia y Carolina del Norte podrían registrar entre 2,5 y 6,4 milímetros (0,10-0,25 pulgadas) de lluvia congelante, según la NOAA.
El NWS y la NOAA recomiendan que los residentes de las zonas bajo alerta consulten los avisos actualizados y sigan las indicaciones de las autoridades locales. La FEMA sugiere mantener a mano suministros de emergencia, equipos de calefacción alternativos y dispositivos de comunicación cargados. Los organismos meteorológicos insisten en la necesidad de mantenerse informados sobre los cambios en los pronósticos, ya que la situación puede variar rápidamente.
“Es fundamental que la población esté preparada para cambios bruscos en las condiciones meteorológicas y actúe con precaución ante las advertencias vigentes”, advirtió el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional en su último boletín.
De acuerdo con el análisis de la NOAA y el NWS, el patrón climático que favorece la generación de tormentas invernales persistirá durante la primera semana de marzo. Los expertos destacan que “la inestabilidad atmosférica y la sucesión de frentes fríos y cálidos mantienen elevado el riesgo de nuevos episodios de nieve y hielo, especialmente en el noreste y el medio oeste del país”.
El monitoreo constante de los modelos meteorológicos permite ajustar las previsiones y emitir alertas con antelación, aunque la variabilidad inherente a estos sistemas puede introducir cambios en la trayectoria y la intensidad de las tormentas.
La combinación de nieve, hielo y descensos térmicos afecta la movilidad urbana y rural, así como la operación de escuelas, hospitales y servicios esenciales. Según la NOAA, las interrupciones en rutas principales y secundarias pueden dificultar el acceso a centros de trabajo y servicios médicos, mientras que la formación de hielo en carreteras aumenta el riesgo de accidentes.
Las aerolíneas y empresas de transporte han emitido comunicados anticipando posibles demoras y cancelaciones, especialmente en los aeropuertos de Chicago, Nueva York y Boston. El NWS reiteró que “la colaboración entre autoridades federales, estatales y locales es clave para minimizar los impactos y garantizar una respuesta eficaz ante emergencias”.
Las agencias meteorológicas prevén que el patrón de tormentas invernales podría extenderse durante las próximas semanas. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional indica que se mantiene la vigilancia sobre posibles nuevos sistemas, mientras la población de las regiones afectadas continúa adaptándose a condiciones cambiantes.
Weather,North America,Weather Markets / Weather
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