House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) took to X on Saturday to defend Republicans' tax legislation, accusing Democrats of opposing measures designed to provide financial support and savings opportunities for American families.
"Congress should make life easier for hardworking families, not harder," Johnson wrote. He highlighted the Republican tax law's permanent increase in the maximum Child Tax Credit, a refundable portion of the adoption tax credit, a new federal tax credit for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations, and Trump Accounts. Then he dropped the hammer: "Every House Democrat voted AGAINST all of this!"
Democrats Target Trump Over Costs
Last week, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) criticized President Donald Trump and his allies for prioritizing their agenda over working families' financial needs. He called on Congress to hold the administration accountable.
Last month, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Republicans over rising costs, tax breaks for wealthy Americans, and taxpayer spending on Trump's military campaign against Iran. She said working families were bearing the financial burden while Trump and his donors benefited.
In August, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) renewed his call for a 5% annual wealth tax on fewer than 1,000 U.S. billionaires, arguing it could raise more than $4.4 trillion to fund universal child care, expanded Medicare coverage, homelessness initiatives, and a $60,000 minimum salary for teachers.
Trump's Tax Cuts and Refunds
This month, the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS proposed rules to restrict Premium Tax Credit eligibility and strengthen verification requirements beginning in 2027.
In July, Trump praised his tax law's 100% expensing provision, which allowed businesses to immediately deduct qualifying investments and encouraged spending on plants and equipment.
The Trump administration previously projected that the 2026 tax season would deliver record-high average refunds, with the Working Families Tax Cuts expected to provide $191 billion in additional tax relief.
