Article snippet: For pols who shunned Donald Trump’s candidacy, 2017 has been an annus horribilis. Except, of course, for Governor Baker. Language put into the tax bill late in the process clearly benefits President Trump’s vast real estate empire, and gives him a large tax break. With a shutdown clock ticking toward a midnight Friday deadline, congressional Republicans scrambled on Wednesday to finalize a must-pass spending bill. A major obstacle evaporated after key GOP senators dropped a demand to add health insurance subsidies for the poor. With a shutdown clock ticking toward a midnight Friday deadline, congressional Republicans scrambled to finalize a must-pass spending bill. Two Republican senators abandoned their fight for legislation this year to help contain premium costs by resuming federal subsidies to insurers. Republican lawmakers and President Trump cheered the massive overhaul, while Democrats called it a boon to the rich. Some in the GOP said voters may rebel in the next election. Advocates are concerned that confusion over the status of the federal Affordable Care Act could lead some Massachusetts consumers to drop coverage. Two Republican senators abandoned their fight for legislation this year to help contain premium costs by resuming federal subsidies to insurers. Steve Scalise spent weeks hospitalized earlier this year after being shot during a congressional baseball practice. With a shutdown clock ticking toward a midnight Friday dead... Link to the full article to read more