Trump's new tax proposals take Congress by surprise

Republican lawmakers seem to be somewhat confused after Donald Trump told supporters over the weekend that Congress would be voting on a new tax cut for middle-class Americans following the midterm elections, despite those same lawmakers having never heard of any such legislative proposals.

"We're giving a middle-income tax reduction of about 10%," Trump said en route to a campaign rally in Houston on Monday.

"We'll do the vote after the election."

Party leaders were surprised by Trump's claims at a Saturday afternoon campaign rally in Nevada that his administration was "looking at a major tax cut for middle-income people."

Trump stated that House Speaker Paul Ryan and other House Republicans had been putting together a plan that would be unveiled just ahead of the midterms.

However, congressional offices were initially unable to confirm whether or not any new tax legislation was actually in the works. The White House later stated that the president intended for his new tax cuts to be included as part of an amendment to the legislation the House passed back in September.

"The president and Republicans in Congress support additional tax cuts for hard-working Americans," said White House spokeswoman, Lindsay Walters.

"As part of Tax Reform 2.0, the president would like to see an additional tax cut of 10% for middle-income families."

Even if the Republican party was capable of pulling something together ahead of the midterms, lawmakers were due to be out until after the election - an election where the Democrats are expected to take over the House.

No Democrats supported last year's tax bill.

Trump said the new plan could be announced as soon as 1 November.