December 20, 2017, 2:37 PM
Trump speaks after tax overhaul bill passage
Last Updated Dec 20, 2017 5:13 PM EST
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President Trump spoke Wednesday afternoon after the Republican-controlled Congress passed a sweeping tax overhaul bill. The Senate passed the bill in the early hours of Wednesday and the House voted to pass the legislation Wednesday afternoon.
"We did the largest tax cut in our history," he said.
Earlier Wednesday, Mr. Trump met with members of his Cabinet. In the meeting, the president praised the measure's dramatic cuts to corporate tax rates and cuts for individual taxpayers.
"We have done a job like no administration has done," Mr. Trump said.
President Trump thanked all of the Republican members of Congress gathered for the White House remarks and praised their hard work in passing the tax legislation.
"They are very, very special people," Mr. Trump concluded.
Members of Congress continue to thank Trump
The president invited Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to say a few words.
"You're one heck of a leader," Hatch said.
Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, followed Hatch, also praising Mr. Trump.
"Our country will have a new tax code for a new era of American prosperity," Brady said, also calling the current tax code "broken."
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, commented next.
"This is America's comeback," he said.
Alaskan Senators invited to speak
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, thanked the president for his assistance in passing the tax bill.
"With passage of this tax bill, with passage-- finally-- to allow us to open the 10-02 area, this is a bright day," she said, referencing the provision of the bill opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling.
"This, Mr. President, is what energy dominance is all about," she said.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, echoed his colleague's comments on how the bill will help their home state.
"We're finally, finally doing it, thank you sir," he said to Mr. Trump.
Sen. Tim Scott makes remarks
Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, was invited to speak following Pence's remarks.
He claimed that single mothers will receive a 70 percent tax cut.
"When you think about the folks with kids in the household, this plan double the child tax credit," Scott said.
Vice President Mike Pence speaks
"Merry Christmas, America!" Vice President Mike Pence said calling the tax cuts a gift to Americans.
The vice president then listed some of the Trump administration's accomplishments.
"Today, Mr. President, you fulfilled the promise you made to millions of Americans struggling in this economy," Pence said.
He called the legislation a "middle class miracle."
"President Donald Trump delivered a great victory for the American people," Pence said.
"With God's help, you will make America great again," Pence said to Mr. Trump.
Paul Ryan speaks
"Mr. President thank you for getting us over the finish line, thank you for getting us where we are," Ryan said, also thanking Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
He said that the tax bill's passage through Congress represents the Republican Party keeping its promise to deliver tax cuts to the American people.
Mitch McConnell speaks
"It means jobs. Jobs, jobs, jobs. So it's really going to be a very special period of time," Mr. Trump said before handing the stage over to McConnell.
The Senate Majority Leader then approached the podium.
"America is going to start growing again, thank you Mr. President for all you're doing," McConnell said.
Trump thanks Congress
Mr. Trump thanked McConnell and Ryan for their leadership in passing the legislation through both chambers of Congress.
"We did the largest tax cut in our history. And I hate to say this but we essentially repealed Obamacare," he said, referencing the bill's repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.
Mr. Trump pointed to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and expressed excitement for the bill's opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas drilling.
Trump begins remarks
"I have a whole list of accomplishments that the group behind me has done," Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump praised the bill's doubling of the standard deduction and child tax credit.
"We are going to bring at least $4 trillion dollars back," Mr. Trump said of the bill, referencing legislation's cut to the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent.
President Trump arrives
President Trump arrived to the White House's South Lawn accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
GOP members of Congress gathered behind the president's podium. Mr. Trump shook hands with members of his party as they applauded him.
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