Senate Republicans are hurrying to pass their tax bill as quickly as possible, but despite being backed by President Donald Trump, they may face opposition and not get the needed votes.
On Monday, they were confronted with possible opposition by two lawmakers, Senators Ron Johnson and Bob Corker, which, in turn, could stop the legislation from reaching the Senate floor. Several other senators as well have expressed reservations about elements of the bill.
Senators are demanding that changes are made to the bill before it is sent to the full Senate for a vote. The tax bill requires a majority to be approved, which means Senate Republicans cannot lose more than two votes. Senator John Thune, however, is optimistic the legislation will eventually receive the necessary votes.
“I think in the end we’ll get the votes. But it’s a process and – a legislative process. It takes time to move it across the finish line,” he said.
The major concerns senators, especially Corker and Johnson, have related to the possible deepening of the deficit, which proponents of the tax measure say will be compensated for by the growth resulting from tax cuts.
“If we develop a fix prior to the committee, I’ll probably support it, but if we don‘t, I’ll vote against it,” Johnson said.
Senators Jerry Moran and Susan Collins take issue with the repeal of ObamaCare’s individual mandate provided by the tax bill.
“I personally think that complicates tax reform to put the repeal of the individual mandate in there,” Collins said.
The Senate bill would also grant bigger tax breaks for big corporations than for small “pass-through” businesses. The House and the Senate will still have to merge their final drafts to come up with a bill which both chambers agree with.
However, if the Senate cannot get the votes it needs, it is highly unlikely that a bill will be sent to Trump’s desk before Christmas as planned. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said he hoped Congress would be able to meet this goal.
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