House Republicans Focus on Democrats’ Plans, Not Their Own Wins

Republicans admit messaging on their own tax bill has been challenging, so they are warning voters about what Democrats would mean to their pocketbooks.

U.S. Congress

“What’s really important as relates to the tax code is to contrast what we’ve done to help make life more affordable for families and put more money in their pocket versus what the Democrats would do,” Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) told reporters on Thursday ahead of a weekslong summer recess. Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

House Republican leaders are kicking off their summer campaign blitz warning voters about how Democrats’ policies will increase their taxes instead of touting their own signature tax cut bill.

The strategy highlights the difficulties GOP lawmakers face when it comes to voters feeling the economic benefits of their policies.

“What’s really important as relates to the tax code is to contrast what we’ve done to help make life more affordable for families and put more money in their pocket versus what the Democrats would do,” Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) told reporters on Thursday ahead of a weekslong summer recess.