Evergreen Reporter

As Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate began to take steps towards enacting former President Trump's domestic agenda, a significant voice within the GOP is urging caution. The focus of this week's legislative efforts has been on a proposed $4.5 trillion extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which has garnered considerable interest from the business community.

Oren Cass, chief economist for the JD Vance-aligned think tank American Compass, expressed concerns in an op-ed published in the New York Times. He warned that if Republicans prioritize a tax bill that holds little importance outside Washington D.C., they risk hindering other elements of Trump's agenda and appearing disconnected from working-class interests.

Cass's stance is not new but gains significance with an ideological ally now serving as vice president and budget hawks exerting influence over reconciliation efforts. He argues against prioritizing tax cuts when there is support for increasing taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals to reduce the deficit rather than cutting spending.

Cass criticized anti-tax organizations such as Club for Growth, Americans for Tax Reform, and Americans for Prosperity. These groups have committed substantial financial resources to support ongoing tax reductions despite what Cass perceives as a misalignment with voter priorities or federal budget realities.

He further accused conservative ideologues of fervently advocating for tax cuts akin to climate activists' push for drastic carbon emission reductions or open-borders advocates opposing immigration restrictions.