Republicans and Democrats are trying to find a middle ground on several provisions in order to pass another coronavirus stimulus package, including whether to repeal a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unveiled a proposal in mid-July along with Congressman Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., to fully restore the deduction in the next relief package. However, Republicans have traditionally opposed repealing the cap – which was implemented as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – arguing that it primarily favors wealthy individuals in high-tax states, which have been accused of budget mismanagement prior to the pandemic. SALT CAP REPEAL THE 'SINGLE BEST' ACTION TO HELP NEW YORK, CUOMO SAYS Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed Democrats for holding up the package over “’an unrelated tax cut for rich people.” The Kentucky Republican made similar comments at the end of July. Schumer has maintained that the bill needs to support state and local governments. CORONAVIRUS HIT HIGH-TAX STATES RENEW SALT CAP REPEAL EFFORTS While the Republican-sponsored HEALS Act does not adjust the measure, House Democrats approved a stimulus proposal in May that called for reinstating the SALT deduction for 2020 and 2021. Repealing the cap could be helpful in high-tax states as they consider how to return to business as usual once the coronavirus crisis subsides. It has caused an exodus from these higher-tax states, which has, in turn, resulted in a loss of state tax revenues. “We need to bring our federal dollars back home and cushion the blow this virus –and this harmful SALT cap--has dealt so many homeowners and families locally,” Schumer said in a statement. Suozzi added that families would leave New York without the measure. The White House has repeatedly pushed back at efforts to overturn the provision for years. A legal challenge that was launched by New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland is making its way through the courts. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS A handful of local officials have been outspoken about repealing the provision, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is trying to get Manhattan’s wealthiest taxpayers to return to the city. Cuomo said in May that repealing the cap would be the “single best piece of action” to help the state, claiming it costs New York state about $29 billion per year. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also said undoing the cap would be a form of “main street stimulus.”
Republicans and Democrats are trying to find a middle ground on several provisions in order to pass another coronavirus stimulus package, including whether to repeal a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unveiled a proposal in mid-July along with Congressman Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., to fully restore the deduction in the next relief package. However, Republicans have traditionally opposed repealing the cap – which was implemented as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – arguing that it primarily favors wealthy individuals in high-tax states, which have been accused of budget mismanagement prior to the pandemic. SALT CAP REPEAL THE 'SINGLE BEST' ACTION TO HELP NEW YORK, CUOMO SAYS Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed Democrats for holding up the package over “’an unrelated tax cut for rich people.” The Kentucky Republican made similar comments at the end of July. Schumer has maintained that the bill needs to support state and local governments. CORONAVIRUS HIT HIGH-TAX STATES RENEW SALT CAP REPEAL EFFORTS While the Republican-sponsored HEALS Act does not adjust the measure, House Democrats approved a stimulus proposal in May that called for reinstating the SALT deduction for 2020 and 2021. Repealing the cap could be helpful in high-tax states as they consider how to return to business as usual once the coronavirus crisis subsides. It has caused an exodus from these higher-tax states, which has, in turn, resulted in a loss of state tax revenues. “We need to bring our federal dollars back home and cushion the blow this virus –and this harmful SALT cap--has dealt so many homeowners and families locally,” Schumer said in a statement. Suozzi added that families would leave New York without the measure. The White House has repeatedly pushed back at efforts to overturn the provision for years. A legal challenge that was launched by New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland is making its way through the courts. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS A handful of local officials have been outspoken about repealing the provision, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is trying to get Manhattan’s wealthiest taxpayers to return to the city. Cuomo said in May that repealing the cap would be the “single best piece of action” to help the state, claiming it costs New York state about $29 billion per year. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also said undoing the cap would be a form of “main street stimulus.”

By Morgan Phillips | Fox News

President Trump played down fears from a Republican senator that him giving his speech accepting the Republican nomination from the White House could be illegal as a violation of the Hatch Act.

“It is legal, there is no Hatch Act because it doesn’t pertain to the president,” Trump responded in a coronavirus press conference when asked about Sen. John Thune’s concerns.

President Trump said Wednesday that his campaign is considering having him deliver his Republican National Convention nomination acceptance speech at the White House as coronavirus pandemic concerns have largely prevented the party from holding an in-person event.

TRUMP SAYS WHITE HOUSE UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR LOCATION OF GOP CONVENTION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

“Is that even legal?” Thune, R-S.D., said when asked about Trump’s potential plan to use government property for a political purpose.

“I assume there’s some Hatch Act issues or something,” Thune continued while talking to reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t know the answer to that but I haven’t, and I haven’t heard him say that. But I think anything you do on federal property would seem to be problematic.”

The Hatch Act bars federal employees from using federal property for political purposes. Trump is correct that the president and vice president are not subject to the Hatch Act, but other federal employees may be unable to help make the speech Trump gives after he is nominated by the Republican National Committee (RNC) happen on White House property.

“We’re thinking about it,” Trump first said when asked about the possibility during a “Fox & Friends” interview.

TRUMP CAMPAIGN CONSIDERING POSSIBLE CONVENTION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FROM WHITE HOUSE LAWN

Trump said the idea of using the White House was “something we threw out that would be cost-conscious.”

“If I use the White House we save money for the government in terms of security. If we go somewhere else the amount of money is enormous. That’s something to consider also, it would be a convenient location.”

Last month, the Trump campaign and the RNC dramatically downscaled the convention by canceling planned celebratory events in Jacksonville, Fla., amid a surge in cases in the state, and refocused their attention to convention business back in the original site of Charlotte, N.C.

“We’re thinking about doing it from the White House because there’s no movement,” Trump continued on “Fox & Friends.” “It’s easy and I think it’s a beautiful setting and we are thinking about that it’s certainly one of the alternatives. It’s the easiest alternative. I love the building.”

He added: “I think it’s a great place and greatly representative of our nation. It would by far be the least expensive from the country’s standpoint because, it really is, it’s a big deal when you get up and move all of this apparatus.”

The Washington Post first reported the South Lawn as a possible location for Trump’s nationally televised nomination acceptance speech.

Trump, also in the interview, said the first night of the convention would be held in Charlotte, N.C., and media would be allowed in. He added that there will be virtual live speeches from around the country on the convention’s other nights.

“The first lady’ making a speech, numerous people are making speeches, senators, a lot of very, very terrific people. We have a brilliant, terrific speakers list,” Trump said. “Some of the warrior congressmen that you’ve watched. Jim Jordan and so many others. Matt Gaetz. These guys were warriors.”

Trump said his address would happen the Thursday night of the convention – the final night of the three-day event that runs from Aug. 24-27.

The Democratic National Convention, which was pushed back a month and is scheduled to start on Aug. 17, is still being held in Milwaukee, but most delegates and members of Congress will participate virtually.

Fox News’ Tyler Olson and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.


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