House Republicans consider tax reform "must-pass legislation," and are working hard to pass that law and other key agenda items before year's end, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers said Thursday.
"This is about bigger paychecks, more jobs," the Washington Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program. "Many hard working men and women in this country, people who feel like they are working hard, playing by the rules, doing all the right things but falling behind because the cost of living continues to increase."
For Republicans, who have the majority in both congressional chambers and also the White House, it's time to take action, Rodgers continued.
"Our economy has been stagnant," she commented. "Wages have been stagnant. This is our time to really get people back to work, create jobs and create opportunities for everyone in this country."
Rodgers said she hosted the tax camp for House Republicans last week to roll out the tax plan's framework, and that Vice President Mike Pence visited lawmakers there.
"There is a lot of momentum coming out of that session," said Rodgers. "Members are asking questions, better understanding it but they want to get to yes. So we're moving forward with the committee ... We will pass the budget today and [are] moving forward with the Ways and Means Committee taking the action. Our goal is to get it to the House floor within weeks so it can get over to the Senate and on the president's desk by the end of the year."
Lawmakers also have been given a deadline to come up with a plan to deal with the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and Rodgers said sometimes, Congress functions better when a cutoff point has been specified.
"We know we need to take some action and we are in those conversations right now to reach an agreement for those kids that need some certainty over what their future is going to be," said Rodgers.
Meanwhile, it has been a somber week, with the Las Vegas shooting following so closely on the heels of three major hurricanes.
"There is a lot going on in the world and your heart breaks as you hear some of these stories," Rodgers said. "We've also had [Rep.] Steve Scalise, [R-Louisiana,] return to Capitol Hill which is, he is a walking miracle."
Scalise, returning after being shot in an attack during a practice for a charity baseball game, "just reinforces the importance of restoring civility and how we treat each other."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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