(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman is calling for the passage of what President Donald Trump refers to as the “big, beautiful bill.”
Trump delivered a pep talk to Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday in an effort to get lawmakers to pass his budget reconciliation bill, which includes his domestic legislative policy priorities.
The president, heading into the meeting, called himself a “cheerleader” for the Republican Party and took a jab at Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker while addressing reporters.
“We want to help all the states but we have governors that are from Democrat parts like New York, Illinois is a big one,” said Trump. “We want to benefit Republicans because they are the ones that are going to make America great again.”
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said the bill will give rocket fuel to the U.S. economy and includes a housing initiative to help address the national housing crisis.
“The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act is included in this bill,” LaHood said at a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing. “It is supported by every housing group across the country and in fact, it is the most bipartisan bill we introduced last Congress.”
LaHood said other key pieces of the legislation include making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, and ending taxes on tips, overtime pay and car loan interest. He says it also provides additional tax relief for seniors.
The bill also would help Illinois farmers by extending the Clean Fuel Production Credit through 2031, LaHood said.
Among the remaining holdouts are members of the House Freedom Caucus, who are focused on obtaining significant deficit reduction.
If the bill passes the House this week, it would then move to the Senate, where Republicans are also considering changes.
