Republicans are accelerating plans to sell their proposal to the public as they prepare for the release of tax reform legislation next week, in a push to quickly build momentum for the bill.
But Democrats are devising an aggressive counteroffensive, much like the strategy they used successfully to help prevent the GOP from passing a bill to reform Obamacare.
As part of their rollout, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will tour districts around the country to promote the GOP plan, which would lower tax rates across the board, including business tax rates. The Washington state congresswoman held a roundtable in Hope Hills, N.C. on Friday, with the workers of a local small business about how tax reform can create jobs and raise wages, and will hold another roundtable on Tuesday in Sterling Heights, Mich.
She told the Washington Examiner the GOP message machine will be more effective on tax reform than during the attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare, which fell apart thanks to an internal divide within the Republican Party.
“One of the big differences with tax reform is the fact that we have been working on this legislation for weeks, for months. It’s been a joint effort with the Senate and the administration, and we have agreed on a framework for tax reform.”
The GOP conference is conducting messaging and media training for Republicans and their staff to “fine-tune their tax reform communications skills.”
The GOP’s “fairandsimple.gop” website on tax reform is up and running and includes a framework summary, frequently asked questions, and reform goals.
Democrats are also getting ready for when the GOP unveils its bill on Nov. 1.
“Our caucus must be fully mobilized to expose the ruinous consequences of Republicans’ plans to raise taxes on the middle class, especially as Republicans try to race their bill through the House before the American people can see the damage it will cause in their lives,” Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote to rank-and-file Democrats.
Pelosi is centrally coordinating Democratic lawmakers, who she has directed to hold town halls, press events, and roundtables in their districts the weekend of Nov. 3 “to spotlight the GOP’s attempt to rip off the middle class with their tax bill.”
Democrats are likely to focus on a very vulnerable part of the GOP plan: a provision to change or eliminate the popular state and local tax deduction. The move deeply divides Republicans.
Pelosi, writing to Democratic lawmakers last week, called on them to combine member events “to amplify your impact.” The strategy has been a winner for Democrats, who held well-attended rallies and marches and stormed GOP townhalls to protest the repeal of Obamacare.
Legislation to overhaul the healthcare law stalled in part because many Republican offices were flooded with calls and emails protesting it. Many grew uneasy with getting rid of or even reducing the law’s benefits.
McMorris Rodgers told the Washington Examiner Republicans are very eager to pass tax reform and won’t fold this time. President Trump has told Republicans he will be actively involved in the messaging, she said.
“The president is ready to engage in a way to really use the bully pulpit to raise awareness and just build that support,” McMorris Rodgers said. “And counter the arguments from the Left.”
