WASHINGTON - Republicans muscled a tax cut bill through the House on Friday that they said would right the teetering economy, overcoming Democratic arguments that it would swell federal deficits already expected to set a record this year.


The legislation, which would reduce taxes by $550 billion through 2013, was approved by a 222-203 party-line vote. The Republican-led Senate plans to vote on a similar but smaller measure next week, after which the two chambers ? joined by White House officials ? will negotiate a final package.