Staff Reports
Rep. Mike Lawler from New York has made a case that’s getting more attention than a squirrel in a dog park. He firmly believes House Republicans need to focus on “real tax relief” for all Americans. This plea came after an audience with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, a meeting that might as well have been in a gymnasium filled with gold-plated weight machines given the amount of heavy lifting they might have to do during tax negotiations.
At this Riviera of politicians, Lawler was not alone; a gaggle of Republican lawmakers joined him in conversations about lightening the load of federal deductions for state and local taxes, affectionately dubbed SALT. According to Lawler, lifting the current cap of $10,000 is a must, claiming it’s not nearly enough for anyone who knows how to file taxes. He painted a dire picture of consequences if action isn’t taken. If the cap isn’t addressed, it will disappear completely, allowing for what amounts to the largest tax increase in history. One can almost hear the collective gasp of American families contemplating the return of the dreaded alternative minimum tax.
I've been clear from the very beginning – I will not support a tax bill that does not lift the cap on SALT. That's why we're negotiating, in good faith, with President Trump and Republican leadership in the House and Senate to get this done. pic.twitter.com/5JK1LfdiNE
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) January 12, 2025
It seems like Lawler wants to remind his peers that this is not just about being nice; it’s a battle for taxpayers’ wallets. He discussed the need for a tax bill to avoid a financial history lesson that no one wants to revisit—one filled with rising rates and increased taxes, all wrapped in a bow of governmental chaos. Lawler’s words, while never spoken in front of a mirror, clearly indicated he was urging Republicans to stick together and negotiate like they’re trying to nab the last donut in the break room.
Upon concluding his confab with the future commander-in-chief, Trump laid it out straight: he wants lawmakers to return with a hard number for tax negotiations—a little math problem that, if handled correctly, could lead to a bonanza of tax benefits for Americans. Lawler assured voters that Republicans are committed to negotiating and ensuring whatever tax cap is established doesn’t merely exist to placate a few but actually delivers “real tax relief.” Of course, this relief will need to be balanced with other conservative priorities like border security and domestic energy production, because what’s the use of saving money if you can’t save the country at the same time?
Lawler isn’t just all talk, either. He has previously thrown his hat in the ring with legislation aimed at raising that SALT cap significantly—up to $100,000 for single filers and $200,000 for married couples. It might sound ambitious, but just wait until Trump takes office on January 20; the negotiation process promises to be a spectacle. If there’s any hope for a “big beautiful bill,” Lawler seems poised to support it—as long as it checks all the right boxes, including SALT. If not, he won’t hesitate to drop his support faster than a hot potato.
Meanwhile, former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu chimed in with his two cents, suggesting Trump might be better served by tackling smaller, easier legislation first. He believes that would showcase the administration’s commitment to change—after all, who wouldn’t want to see immediate results rather than waiting for a massive bill that might take forever? In the world of politics, sometimes it’s better to take one manageable bite at a time rather than attempting to wolf down the whole buffet at once.
