Republicans Cut Taxes to Win the Midterms. It May Not Work Out.

Republicans are betting that last year’s tax cuts can help determine how people vote in next month’s election, as they campaign to keep control of the House and Senate. Representative Mike Lawler of New York is leaning hardest into one change: a higher cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Lawler has highlighted the policy in ads and at events, while Trump has repeatedly dubbed him “Mr. SALT.” Lawler argues the SALT expansion directly benefits constituents. But whether that message works for voters on Nov. 3—especially in a district where Trump lost narrowly in 2024—remains uncertain. Residents interviewed questioned whether the higher deduction would sway them.