WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the GOP tax bill (all times local):
10:35 a.m.
The No. 2 Republican in the Senate says the GOP has the votes to pass a sweeping tax overhaul.
That's the word on Friday from Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who told reporters, "We're confident in the 50 and we'd like to build on that."
Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority, but with 50 votes - and Vice President Mike Pence breaking a tie - they can muscle their legislation through the Senate.
Cornyn made the comments after Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said he had won concessions for businesses and would support the legislation.
The sweeping tax overhaul would slash the corporate tax rate and ease some taxes on individuals.
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9:35 a.m.
A key Republican, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, says he's backing the sweeping GOP tax bill. That's according to an aide.
Johnson's support for the legislation is a major boost for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as he tries to muscle the measure through the Senate.
GOP leaders hope to vote on Friday and send the measure to a House-Senate conference to work out the differences. They want to deliver a bill to President Donald Trump by Christmas.
In a radio interview with WISN in Wisconsin, Johnson said he secured changes in the bill on the taxes paid by businesses and is now a yes on the legislation.
At issue were millions of businesses whose owners report the firm's profits on their individual tax returns. The vast majority of U.S. businesses are taxed this way.
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