As congressional Republicans try to extend President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts, some are considering an unusual plan to make them permanent while avoiding the political pain of massive spending cuts to pay for them: Argue that they will not deepen the federal deficit.

WASHINGTON — House Republicans released a budget plan Wednesday that sets the stage for advancing many of President Donald Trump’s top domestic priorities, providing for up to $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and a $4 trillion increase in the debt limit so the U.S. can continue financing its bills.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other top Republican senators vowed to only vote for a permanent, rather than temporary, extension of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, throwing

Tax cuts have long been a Republican priority, and part of recent state budgets that became law. For the 2024 tax year, the individual income tax rate is 4.5%, with the 2025 rate dropping to 4.25%. The rate will drop to 3.99% in 2026. The corporate income tax rate is 2.5%, and Republican lawmakers would like to reduce it until it is eliminated.

President Donald Trump's "drastic" funding cuts, as one GOP senator put it, are facing opposition from some Republicans on Capitol Hill now that the cuts pose a threat to their constituents. Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment on Saturday.

WASHINGTON >> As congressional Republicans try to extend President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, some are considering an unusual plan to make them permanent while avoiding the political pain of massive spending cuts to pay for them: Argue that they will not deepen the federal deficit.