U.S. Senate passes tax overhaul, sends bill back to House

Senate Republicans passed the most sweeping rewrite of the nation’s tax laws in more than three decades early Wednesday, setting the stage for a final House vote.

The House passed the bill earlier Tuesday, but the Senate had to make minor changes so the bill would comply with Senate budget rules.

The Senate vote was 51-48 on early Wednesday, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed.

Rewriting the tax code has been a longtime goal of Republicans and an effort championed by President Donald Trump.

Democrats have criticized the package as a giveaway to corporations and the rich.

The tax cuts total nearly $1.5 trillion over the next decade and would take effect in January. Workers would start to see changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks in February.