As President Donald Trump is engaged in activities in the Middle East, a significant stride has been made as his “big beautiful bill” progresses following the advancement of the bill’s tax component by the Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), who chairs the Committee, has been updating us on their progress. Signs on Friday indicated that Smith’s earlier meeting with Trump at the White House had been productive.

.@JakeSherman pic.twitter.com/ToTTbv2oZh

— Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) May 9, 2025

On Tuesday, the Ways and Means Committee conducted an extensive, 17-hour meeting, during which there was notable obstruction from the Democrats, who seem determined to undermine progress despite its potential benefits for the nation.

We are in hour 14 of a markup where Democrats are fighting tooth and nail to prevent American families from receiving much needed tax relief.

77 million Americans spoke loud and clear in support of the policies in this One, Big, Beautiful Bill. We’re going to get this done, and…

— Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) May 14, 2025

Smith, who posted regular updates of the session, at Hour 14, noted:

We are in hour 14 of a markup where Democrats are fighting tooth and nail to prevent American families from receiving much needed tax relief.

77 million Americans spoke loud and clear in support of the policies in this One, Big, Beautiful Bill. We’re going to get this done, and Americans will remember who stood in the way.

Finally, though, they got it done. 

The panel advanced the legislation — which is part of the party’s package containing Trump’s legislative agenda — in a party-line 26-19 vote following an hours-long, overnight meeting that featured heated debate, scores of Democratic-led amendments, all of which were rejected, and ample estimates of the impact of the proposed policy.

The tax legislation, which spans 389 pages, makes the 2017 income tax rates permanent — a top priority for Trump and congressional Republicans — implements some of the president’s campaign promises including no tax on tips or overtime through 2028, and temporarily increases the child tax credit, among several other provisions.

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