This week, the GOP will try to pass a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax package in the Senate with a razor-thin majority and all Democrats opposed to the legislation. Republican Sen. John McCain has returned to Arizona to celebrate Christmas with his family and will miss the vote on the GOP tax bill. The House version of the bill is expected to pass the rules committee today. On Friday northstate Congressman Doug LaMalfa reiterated his support for the bill, saying it will “benefit America’s working families”. There is widespread disagreement on just what the tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals will do for the economy at large. The Republican position is that allowing more wealth to be retained by employers will prompt more hiring. A group of several dozen protesters gathered on the sidewalk near LaMalfa’s Redding office on Churn Creek Road Saturday to express their disapproval of the bill.