GOP Ways and Means Race Pivots on Style More Than Policy

There’s one certainty in the race to be the House Ways and Means Committee’s top Republican next Congress: Whoever wins will seek to make permanent various temporary tax cuts passed as part of the 2017 tax law.

The three Republicans vying for the top spot on the influential tax-writing panel—Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)—have all identified setting in stone expiring portions of the 2017 tax law that would otherwise sunset as a top priority if they lead the committee. That includes extending current individual tax rates, the pass-through deduction, and present levels ...