House Republicans Begin Uphill Effort to Sell Tax Law to Voters
Gathering at the Las Vegas warehouse of an electronic sign company, Republicans on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee highlighted President Trump's new policies to eliminate taxes on some tip income and overtime pay, arguing that the legislation would help ordinary Americans and generate economic growth.
The new tax cuts will provide 'more money in people's pockets, better jobs in their communities and a strong and prosperous America,' said Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the Republican chairman of the committee, as the letters 'OT' glowed in fire-engine red on a sign across the way, a nod to the newly favorable tax treatment of overtime wages.
Yet even as Republicans called attention to the selling points of the bill, which they backed almost unanimously this month, the event pointed to the challenges of pitching legislation that public surveys show is deeply unpopular. It came at the start of a five-week-long summer House recess that could be a prime opportunity for the G.O.P. to promote its marquee legislative achievement. But Republicans are also keenly aware of the political risks of holding freewheeling gatherings with voters that could devolve into gripe sessions about the law.
The hearing was orchestrated instead to accentuate the positive points of the measure, with a slate of witnesses invited by Republicans — including a server at an Italian restaurant and a food delivery driver — there to testify to how they might benefit.
Patrick Wrona, the server, said he had 'severe appreciation' for the bill's change to how tipped workers are taxed.
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