President Donald Trump cheered an agreement Wednesday between the House and Senate on tax reform legislation as one giving American families and companies the "dream that you want," and urged Congress to pass the measure before Christmas.
In his speech in the White House, the president introduced four middle-income families who thanked the president and described how they would use the savings from their tax cuts as Trump compared the overhaul as akin to reform carried out during the Kennedy administration.
"We are going to make our economy work for you again," Trump said of the cuts. "And we are going to make the American dream . . . be the dream that you want for your children and your grandchildren once again."
"Fifty-five years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, launched a historic effort to pass sweeping top-to-bottom tax cuts," Trump said. "A half century later we are reminded that lowering taxes is neither a Republican or Democrat idea, but an American principal and an American idea."
The families invited by the president to share the stage were from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington — and described the home renovations they planned, and in the case of one family, how they would share the savings by helping those less fortunate in their community.
"It's our joy to stand before you," Emily Howard of Washington told the president. "And what this means to us as a family is we will be able to pour out into community, giving to families in need or setting them up for success in any way that whatever God has planned for our family."
"We are blessed to have an amazing president and what a good steward he is of our country," she added.
Leon Benjamin, an African-American pastor of a church in Richmond, Va., told the president his family was representative of many in his community.
"We need this now," he said of the tax reform. "An it's time for a change. And it's time that we recognize that our president is making good on his promises. And we'll continue to keep praying for you and your team as you move forward and forge ahead with this new future in America."
Trump said if Congress sends him legislation, "the IRS has confirmed that Americans will see lower taxes in February," he promised.
"We stand on the verge of a new economic miracle," Trump said. "If Congress sends me a tax tax reform bill, this is only a beginning," he added.
"This is for the people of middle income, this is for companies that will create jobs," he said. "We're going to make our taxes work for you again."