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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
INTERNACIONAL
Donald Trump dijo que la Marina de Estados Unidos escoltará a los petroleros que quieran cruzar el Estrecho de Ormuz

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, anunció que el país ofrecerá garantías de seguro e incluso escoltas navales para asegurar el paso seguro de petroleros y otras embarcaciones a través del estrecho de Ormuz, con el objetivo de evitar una posible crisis energética derivada de la guerra con Irán. Trump comunicó el martes que la US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) ofrecerá seguros “a un precio muy razonable” para facilitar el flujo de energía y comercio en el Golfo, y que la Marina estadounidense escoltará buques si resulta necesario.
“No importa qué suceda, Estados Unidos garantizará el FLUJO LIBRE de ENERGÍA para el MUNDO”, publicó Trump en redes sociales. El anuncio tuvo impacto inmediato en los mercados: el precio del Brent, referencia internacional del petróleo, se estabilizó en torno a 80 dólares el barril tras una jornada de volatilidad.
La decisión surge después de que los ataques de Estados Unidos e Israel contra Irán interrumpieran el tráfico de crudo por el estrecho de Ormuz, ruta por la que transita una quinta parte del suministro energético mundial. El conflicto provocó que los principales clubes de seguro marítimo retiraran la cobertura por riesgos de guerra para barcos que ingresen al Golfo Pérsico, incrementando drásticamente los costos para los armadores que buscan otras alternativas de cobertura.
El gobierno estadounidense busca frenar la escalada de precios del petróleo resultante del cierre virtual del estrecho, considerado un corredor estratégico para el transporte de crudo. Un aumento sostenido en los precios de los combustibles podría convertirse en un riesgo político para Trump de cara a las elecciones legislativas de noviembre.
El secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, declaró a la prensa que la administración había previsto el encarecimiento de la energía y anticipó que el secretario del Tesoro, Scott Bessent, y el secretario de Energía, Chris Wright, anunciarán un programa de contención de precios. Trump tenía previsto reunirse con ambos funcionarios en la Casa Blanca el mismo martes para abordar el tema.
El seguro político de la DFC está diseñado para cubrir pérdidas derivadas de guerras, violencia o inestabilidad política, aunque el presidente no especificó los detalles del mecanismo. Se informó que la medida busca sostener el comercio y reducir la incertidumbre para los operadores marítimos, en un contexto donde los precios del petróleo han sufrido aumentos abruptos por las hostilidades en Oriente Medio y la interrupción de una de las rutas más vitales para el suministro energético global.
Emmanuel Macron solicitó este martes la creación de una coalición internacional para proteger las vías marítimas esenciales, tras el aumento de tensiones en Oriente Medio que amenazan el tráfico por el estrecho de Ormuz. La decisión llegó después de que Estados Unidos e Israel atacaran objetivos en Irán, acción que el mandatario francés desaprobó por haberse realizado fuera del marco del derecho internacional, aunque señaló a Teherán como responsable final de la situación debido a su programa militar y respaldo a milicias en la región.
Durante un discurso televisado, el presidente de Francia advirtió sobre la gravedad de la crisis surgida en el estrecho de Ormuz, por donde circula el 20% del petróleo mundial. Macron enfatizó que tanto el Canal de Suez como el mar Rojo se encuentran igualmente bajo amenaza. En palabras del mandatario: “La historia nunca llora a los verdugos de sus pueblos. No se echará de menos a ninguno”.
El aumento de la tensión en el estrecho de Ormuz ha suscitado preocupación internacional por las posibles repercusiones en el suministro energético global. Macron explicó que Francia ha lanzado una iniciativa para conformar una coalición que reúna medios, incluidos recursos militares, con el objetivo de restaurar y mantener la seguridad en las rutas marítimas clave para la economía mundial. Al mismo tiempo, anunció un refuerzo del dispositivo militar francés en la zona, para contribuir a la protección de estas arterias estratégicas.
La propuesta de Macron surge en un contexto de creciente hostilidad entre Irán, Estados Unidos e Israel, donde los recientes acontecimientos han incrementado el riesgo de incidentes que puedan afectar la estabilidad del transporte marítimo en una región esencial para el comercio internacional.
(Con información de Bloomberg y EFE)
Corporate Events,Middle East,Military Conflicts
INTERNACIONAL
Mamdani putting NYPD ‘between rock and a hard place’ in move that could ultimately help his goal: expert

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recent reactions to law enforcement, which some have interpreted as pushing back against the New York Police Department, likely won’t hurt him as much as previous mayors, a local crime expert told Fox News Digital, and could end up working to his overall political advantage.
«It may not hurt Mamdani in the way that it might hurt another mayor,» Manhattan Institute Fellow Rafael Mangual.
«I do think that Zohran Mamdani is okay with being an opponent and a critic of the NYPD. I think he comes from a sort of ideological perspective that does not believe that the NYPD actually reduces crime. So, if the NYPD pulls back and crime goes up, I think he will see that as an opportunity to further criticize the NYPD and point to reasons why it should be defunded in favor of this Department of Community Safety and some of these other proposals that he would much rather invest in.»
Two significant events in the city indicate that the mayor will not defend the police department, according to Mangual, and could result in cops pulling back due to lack of support. They include an incident last month in Washington Square Park, dubbed «Snowballgate,» where a mob of roughly 100 people pelted NYPD officers with snowballs, leaving two officers injured.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Rather than condemning the assault, Mamdani appeared to downplay the violence, referring to the perpetrators as «kids» taking part in a snowball fight.
«Mamdani did not come out in support of the NYPD in that incident. Instead, he seemed to kind of brush it off and even refused to call for the prosecution of the perpetrators,» Mangual said, adding that the actions of the mob clearly qualified as an assault against police officers.
«Unfortunately, I think the mayor’s response was found wanting. He seemed unwilling to condemn it as an assault. He seemed unwilling to even say that it was something that shouldn’t be done in the future, and I think that is going to create a sense in the NYPD that this administration does not have their back.»
Perhaps more concerning, according to Mangual, was Mamdani’s reaction to a recent officer-involved shooting in Queens where, despite bodycam footage showing an officer being immediately attacked with a deadly weapon after entering a home at the owner’s invitation, Mamdani called on the district attorney to not prosecute the knife wielding suspect who was reportedly having a mental health episode.
CITY-RUN BOARD CANCELS LEASE OF ISRAEL DRONE SUPPLIER, SPARKING BACKLASH TOWARD MAMDANI: ‘LUDICROUS’
Additionally, Mamdani visited the attacker and his family after the incident.
«For Mayor Mamdani to come out and not just meet with the family as if this individual is some sort of crime victim, but to also make an open call to the Queens DA not to prosecute the individual for the obvious and clear assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, I think is just completely irresponsible,» Mangual said.
«But it also will reinforce that sense in the NYPD that I think is already existing: that this administration is an opponent, not a partner. And if that dynamic continues and it reaches further down into the rank and file, I do think that the city is going to see a more reluctant police force at a time in which it needs it to be proactive.»
As a candidate, Mamdani attempted to distance himself from previous support of police defunding but faced backlash last month when he announced that part of his plan to balance the budget involves cutting the NYPD’s budget and canceling 5K new officer hires.
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In front of a painting of Alexander Hamilton, Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters about the city’s finances during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
«I think what we’ve seen in the early days of this administration is that Mamdani is not yet willing to position himself as an open partner of the NYPD,» Mangual said. «He is still trying to make a decision about whether he is going to lean into his more natural identity of an opponent of the NYPD.»
The NYPD is «between a rock and a hard place» under Mamdani, Mangual said, adding that officers will be «less likely to put their lives on the line for a city that they do not feel has their back.»
«He’d be perfectly happy with a world in which he can say, ‘Look, the NYPD is a failure, it’s not keeping crime down, it’s time to try other approaches,’» Mangual said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.
politics,zohran mamdani,crime world
INTERNACIONAL
París bajo la sombra de la guerra: el miedo al desabastecimiento y la repatriación masiva de franceses en el Golfo

Los parisinos están inquietos ante una guerra que pisa las fronteras europeas. Cuando el presidente Emmanuel Macron se disponía a hablar este martes, a la hora de la cena, para explicar la posición francesa frente al conflicto de Estados Unidos con Irán, París era un desierto.
Los restaurantes y bares estaban vacíos. En las paradas de taxis esperaban más de veinte vehículos a pasajeros que no llegaban. En las calles se escuchaban sirenas, había mucha presencia policial y las patrullas militares del Vigipirate estaban desplegadas.
En el Café Flore, el corazón de la intelectualidad y la política francesa, no había ni siquiera turistas curiosos. La habitualmente superpoblada brasserie Lipp era un desierto.
En el café Armani, en el St Germain des Prés, solo había tres mesas a la hora de cenar.
“La gente tiene miedo a salir. Estas noticias de la guerra los intimidan, los asustan. Temen atentados. También sienten que hay incertidumbre, que deben ahorrar porque el futuro es difícil de adivinar”, contó David, uno de sus históricos mozos.
Los que estaban, comían rápido y se iban. Todos hablaban de lo mismo: la guerra, el alza de los precios del gas y del petróleo y el impacto en su vida cotidiana.
En las pocas estaciones de servicio dentro de París había colas de automóviles cargando combustible. Temían su escasez.
Al menos hay 400.000 franceses en el golfo Pérsico y el gobierno ha decidido comenzar la repatriación de los que quieran regresar. Primero serán los enfermos, los ancianos y las familias. Después, los demás.
«Nos preparamos para fletar vuelos para que las personas más vulnerables, aquellas que merecen asistencia, puedan beneficiarse de ellos si es necesario», declaró el canciller Jean-Noël Barrot al canal de noticias BFMTV, sin especificar cuántas personas podrían verse afectadas por estos vuelos.
Según el ministro de Asuntos Exteriores francés, unos 400.000 ciudadanos franceses se encuentran actualmente en la decena de países afectados por el conflicto en curso.
«En su mayoría, se trata de ciudadanos franceses residentes en la región, incluyendo personas con doble nacionalidad. Otros son ciudadanos franceses de paso», de los cuales aproximadamente 25.000 ya se han puesto en contacto con el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, especificó. Todos los ciudadanos franceses deben registrarse «para que puedan ser localizados».
Las medidas implementadas varían según los países involucrados.
«Por ejemplo, hemos desplegado equipos consulares en las fronteras entre Israel, Egipto y Jordania, lo que ha facilitado el paso de ciudadanos franceses que desean salir por tierra y luego tomar un vuelo desde Egipto o Jordania«, declaró el ministro.
Los ciudadanos franceses que deseen salir de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos podrán hacerlo en las fronteras con Omán y Arabia Saudita, «dos países cuyo espacio aéreo permanece abierto hasta el momento«, añadió.
En cuanto a los vuelos, también se están considerando varias opciones.
Por un lado, los ciudadanos franceses podrán tomar vuelos comerciales en los que París ha reservado «bloques de asientos». También se podrían fletar «vuelos civiles» y «podríamos solicitar aviones de la República Francesa», explicó Jean-Noël Barrot.
«En cuanto a las personas vulnerables, las misiones diplomáticas, embajadas y consulados, que están en contacto con nuestros ciudadanos allí, en colaboración con el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, están elaborando estas listas para que puedan regresar a Francia con prioridad», declaró.
Ante la incertidumbre económica causada por la guerra en Oriente Medio, el ministro de Economía y Finanzas, Roland Lescure, también anunció el martes que una unidad de crisis se reunirá «una vez al día», bajo su dirección, en el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas. Su objetivo será «seguir la evolución de los mercados financieros, los indicadores económicos y, por supuesto, los mercados energéticos», especificó.
Sin embargo, «no existe riesgo de escasez de suministro a corto plazo» en Francia, «ni de gas ni de gasolina», aseguró el ministro.
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