Dem senator to appear with Trump at tax reform rally

Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly (D) says he will make a joint appearance with President Trump at the president’s tax-reform rally in the state on Wednesday.

In a press release, Donnelly said he was committed to working with Trump to fight the outsourcing of jobs and to seek bipartisan tax reform.

“I’m pleased the President has been supportive of my proposal to address the outsourcing of American jobs, and I am hopeful that any tax reform proposal includes measures that support American workers as well as the middle class and encourage domestic investments,” Donnelly said.

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Donnelly, a vulnerable Democrat up for reelection in 2018 in a state Trump won by 19 points last year, argued that tax reform could be the first major issue under the Trump administration where Democrats and Republicans could find common ground.

“It’s an honor to welcome President Trump to Indiana, and I hope he has an opportunity to hear directly from Hoosiers on an issue that impacts not only our families but our economy,” Donnelly said. “I believe tax reform should include policies that will benefit working and middle class families, create new jobs, and protect existing jobs.”

Donnelly’s appearance with Trump will come just a week after the Indiana senator appeared with Vice President Pence at another rally for tax reform.

Conservative groups have indicated that they intend to target Donnelly over tax reform.

“We’re willing and able and ready to activate our grass roots in a significant way to hold Senator Donnelly accountable,” Justin Stevens, Americans for Prosperity’s Indiana state director, said last week.

Donnelly’s release Tuesday said Trump has “expressed his support” for the End Outsourcing Act, a bill Donnelly introduced with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) earlier this year that would end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas.

“Donnelly hopes there will be a bipartisan process to reform our tax code in a way that gives working and middle-class families greater economic security,” the release concluded. “The Administration has not yet released a detailed legislative proposal on tax reform.”