SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) looks on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) speaks during a brief press conference before an Armed Services conference committee meeting on the National Defense Authorization Act on Capitol Hill, October 25, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Senate Republicans moved a step closer to ramming through massive tax cuts for the wealthy on Thursday after "maverick" Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)--deploying thoroughly "unsound" justifications--fell in line with President Donald Trump and the Republican leadership by declaring his support for the GOP tax plan.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here."
--Ben Wikler, MoveOn.org"Though not perfect, this bill will deliver much-needed reform to our tax code, grow the economy, and provide long overdue tax relief for American families," McCain insisted, in a statement that ran afoul of countless analyses showing that the GOP plan would make the tax code more complicated, do little to grow the economy, and primarily deliver gains to CEOs and already affluent families--not workers.
While McCain's decision to support a plan that has been hashed out largely in secret may seem to conflict with his previous demand for "regular order," The Nation's John Nichols offered a simple explanation for the 180-degree turn.
McCain is a "maverick, except when Wall Street calls," Nichols observed.
New York Magazine's Eric Levitz similarly highlighted McCain's willingness to reverse his stance on issues of principle, contrasting the senator's 2001 vote against the Bush tax cuts with his support for the current GOP plan.
"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief," McCain said then.
Despite the available evidence clearly showing that the Trump-GOP tax plan would do precisely what McCain once denounced, Levitz chided the Arizona senator--especially given that "economic inequality in America is dramatically more severe" now that it was 16 years ago--for handing Republicans a key vote as their bill hurtles toward passage.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here," concluded MoveOn.org Washington director Ben Wikler.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Senate Republicans moved a step closer to ramming through massive tax cuts for the wealthy on Thursday after "maverick" Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)--deploying thoroughly "unsound" justifications--fell in line with President Donald Trump and the Republican leadership by declaring his support for the GOP tax plan.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here."
--Ben Wikler, MoveOn.org"Though not perfect, this bill will deliver much-needed reform to our tax code, grow the economy, and provide long overdue tax relief for American families," McCain insisted, in a statement that ran afoul of countless analyses showing that the GOP plan would make the tax code more complicated, do little to grow the economy, and primarily deliver gains to CEOs and already affluent families--not workers.
While McCain's decision to support a plan that has been hashed out largely in secret may seem to conflict with his previous demand for "regular order," The Nation's John Nichols offered a simple explanation for the 180-degree turn.
McCain is a "maverick, except when Wall Street calls," Nichols observed.
New York Magazine's Eric Levitz similarly highlighted McCain's willingness to reverse his stance on issues of principle, contrasting the senator's 2001 vote against the Bush tax cuts with his support for the current GOP plan.
"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief," McCain said then.
Despite the available evidence clearly showing that the Trump-GOP tax plan would do precisely what McCain once denounced, Levitz chided the Arizona senator--especially given that "economic inequality in America is dramatically more severe" now that it was 16 years ago--for handing Republicans a key vote as their bill hurtles toward passage.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here," concluded MoveOn.org Washington director Ben Wikler.
Senate Republicans moved a step closer to ramming through massive tax cuts for the wealthy on Thursday after "maverick" Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)--deploying thoroughly "unsound" justifications--fell in line with President Donald Trump and the Republican leadership by declaring his support for the GOP tax plan.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here."
--Ben Wikler, MoveOn.org"Though not perfect, this bill will deliver much-needed reform to our tax code, grow the economy, and provide long overdue tax relief for American families," McCain insisted, in a statement that ran afoul of countless analyses showing that the GOP plan would make the tax code more complicated, do little to grow the economy, and primarily deliver gains to CEOs and already affluent families--not workers.
While McCain's decision to support a plan that has been hashed out largely in secret may seem to conflict with his previous demand for "regular order," The Nation's John Nichols offered a simple explanation for the 180-degree turn.
McCain is a "maverick, except when Wall Street calls," Nichols observed.
New York Magazine's Eric Levitz similarly highlighted McCain's willingness to reverse his stance on issues of principle, contrasting the senator's 2001 vote against the Bush tax cuts with his support for the current GOP plan.
"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief," McCain said then.
Despite the available evidence clearly showing that the Trump-GOP tax plan would do precisely what McCain once denounced, Levitz chided the Arizona senator--especially given that "economic inequality in America is dramatically more severe" now that it was 16 years ago--for handing Republicans a key vote as their bill hurtles toward passage.
"The fact that McCain voted against George W. Bush's ugly tax cuts for the rich and then voted for this far worse bill--which includes partial ACA repeal--gives the lie to the idea that there's an underlying principle at work here," concluded MoveOn.org Washington director Ben Wikler.