1600 Daily: Everything White House 12/20/17
The first overhaul of our tax code in more than 30 years
With Vice President Mike Pence presiding, early this morning the Senate passed the first overhaul of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years. The House of Representatives is expected to follow suit this morning.
This legislation is a powerful symbol of what Republicans can accomplish when they join forces behind a positive governing vision for the country.
- “A generation defining moment,” House Speaker Paul Ryan called it
- “Create many beautiful JOBS,” President Donald J. Trump tweeted
- “The high note of his presidency,” Axios journalist Mike Allen wrote
The bill soon goes to President Trump’s desk, where he will deliver on a major promise to cut taxes for working Americans this Christmas. The bill will double the standard deduction and the child tax credit, lower tax rates, and level the playing field for U.S. businesses trying to compete globally.
Read why economists think tax reform will lift America’s economy.
The President’s strategy abroad, 1 year in
The release of the President’s National Security Strategy this week caps off a year that saw “America first” return to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy.
The results—especially the defeat of ISIS—have impressed even many of the Administration’s critics. “A war Trump won” read the headline of New York Times’columnist Ross Douthat’s piece this weekend. “This is one of the best stories of the young Trump administration,” National Review’s David French said.
There is plenty of reason for optimism. In 2017, America’s accomplishments include helping to recapture 95 percent of ISIS territory, initiating sanctions that cut off 30 percent of North Korea’s oil imports, and encouraging NATO to boost defense spending by 4.3 percent.
Read the full list of President Trump’s first year of foreign policy accomplishments.
Something different: An animatronic President Donald Trump
Disney World debuted an animatronic version of President Trump this week for its famed Hall of Presidents exhibit.
The President’s remarks for the exhibit—which he recorded earlier this year—capture the spirit of his Administration well.
“From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people,” robot Trump says. “It’s why our Founders began our great Constitution with three very simple words: We the People.”
Photo of the Day
POTUS Today
Today, President Trump is hosting a meeting of his Cabinet. Later in the afternoon, he will hold a tax bill passage event at the White House with members of the House and Senate.
