Republicans launch messaging campaign on tax changes, economy

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - One day after President Trump brought up his “no tax on tips” policy with a public DoorDash order, House Republicans invited dasher Sharron Simmons to a tax roundtable at the Capitol.

Congresswoman Lisa McClain says the messaging is coordinated.

“The White House and Republican Conference have been working hand in glove to put weekly messages out, and how to get that message out,” said McClain, R-MI.

Simmons joined construction workers, business owners, trucking experts and hair stylists for a roundtable at the U.S. Capitol on tax policy changes. McClain says lawmakers will try to point to as many changes as they can on forums, social media and word of mouth.

One example is tax changes now allow Pell grants to be used on vocational schools.

“Instead of a four year college, using the Pell grant money for just a four year college, you can now use that on skilled trades. We’ve got to get the word out on that,” McClain said.

Republicans say there were so many changes in the Big Beautiful Bill that some are simply being overlooked, and the IRS needs to do more to let taxpayers and preparers know how to make the most of the changes.

“Most of the time these tax preparers subscribe to bulletins from the IRS. The IRS needs to be very definitive with these bulletins that say, by the way, here are the tax deductions that are out there. The new ones. And here’s the way to make sure that you reflect those in your returns for your clients,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA.

Republicans believe better messaging can also improve consumer sentiment about the economy.