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Article snippet: Republicans kicked off their markup of potentially historic tax legislation Monday, with Democrats hammering the proposal for slashing breaks for the middle-class to pay for tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations. Democratic questioning zeroed in on the breaks curbed or eliminated in the bill that tend to be enjoyed by the middle class: for teachers, homeowners and others. They railed against the measure for violating a rule enunciated by Treasury Secretary MORE: That the legislation would not give a net tax benefit for the rich. “This tax plan is blatant fraud being perpetrated against Middle America,” said Rep. MORE (D-N.Y.), echoing sentiments of the minority on the House Ways and Means Committee panel throughout the hours-long hearing. “I would say not,” the committee’s Thomas Barthold said. “As has been pointed out it provides for net tax reductions, particularly in the first year, up and down the income distribution.” Mnuchin said in a CNBC interview in November 2016 that “there will be no absolute tax cut for the upper class.” Republicans replied that the bill would boost economic growth and thus lead to lower taxes and higher wages across the income spectrum. House Ways and Means Chairman MORE (R-Texas) said the bill is about “making America’s economy stronger than ever by delivering more jobs, fairer taxes and bigger paychecks across the nation.” The markup is expected to span several days and wrap up no later than Thursday, when the Senat... Link to the full article to read more