House Republicans Propose More Tax Cuts as Elections Near.

Federal individual income tax cuts approved in December on a temporary basis would become permanent under a package of bills unveiled on Monday by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, although the outlook for passage was uncertain.

In an election-year effort designed to draw a sharp contrast between themselves and Democrats, House Republicans offered up three pieces of legislation.

The measures would make permanent the lower individual rates from December, eliminate the maximum age for some retirement account contributions and let new businesses write off more start-up costs.

President Donald Trump’s Republicans, who are seeking to fend off a Democratic challenge for control of Congress in the Nov. 6 elections, tout the tax cuts as helping boost the economy. Democrats have said they benefit mainly the wealthy and corporations.

“Regardless of the merits of the House GOP plan, we view it as a political move ahead of the midterm elections that has no chance of passing Congress in the short term,” the investment firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said in a Monday note to clients.