GOP senator opposes tax bill
Move signals potential problems for Repblican leaders
WASHINGTON, Nov 16, (AP): Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson on Wednesday became the first Repblican senator to say he opposes his party’s tax bill, signaling potential problems for GOP leaders. Passage of a similar package seemed certain Thursday in the House, where a handful of dissidents conceded they expected to be steamrolled by a GOP frantic to claim its first major legislative victory of the year.
Eager to act before opposition groups could sow doubts among the rank-and-file, Repblican leaders were anxious to hand Donald Trump the first crowning bill of his presidency by Christmas. Trump planned to visit House GOP lawmakers Thursday at the Capitol in what seemed likely to be a pep rally, not a rescue mission.
“Big vote tomorrow in the House. Tax cuts are getting close!” Trump enthused in a tweet Wednesday. “Why are Democrats fighting massive tax cuts for the middle class and business (jobs)? The reason: Obstruction and Delay!”
The two chambers’ plans would slash the 35 percent corporate tax rate to 20 percent, trim personal income tax rates and diminish some deductions and credits — while adding nearly $1.5 trillion to the coming decade’s federal deficits. Repblicans promised tax breaks for millions of families and companies left with more money to produce more jobs.
“It represents a bold path forward that will allow us as a nation to break out of the slow-growth status quo once and for all,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, as his chamber debated the bill.
Democrats said the measures would bestow the bulk of their benefits on higher earners and corporations. In the Sente Finance Committee, they focused their attacks on two provisions designed by Repblicans to save money.
One would repeal president Barack Obama’s health law requirement that people buy coverage or pay a fine, a move the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects would result in 13 million more uninsured people by 2027. The other would end the personal income tax cuts in 2026 while keeping the corporate reductions permanent.
“We should be working together to find ways to cut taxes for hardworking middle-class families, not taking health care away from millions of people just to give huge tax cuts to the largest corporations,” said Sen Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
The Repblican-led Finance panel was on track to approve its proposal by week’s end. It shut down Democrats’ initial efforts Wednesday to modify the Sente bill, voting along party lines against amendments aimed at protecting health care coverage for veterans or people with disabilities, mental illness or opioid addition if the insurance mandate is ended.
But with GOP leaders hoping for full Sente passage early next month, concerns by Johnson and perhaps others would have to be addressed.
Repblicans controlling the Sente 52-48 can approve the legislation with just 50 votes, plus tie-breaking support from Vice-President Mike Pence. With solid Democratic opposition likely, they can lose just two GOP votes.
Besides Johnson, Repblican Sen Susan Collins of Maine, Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee have yet to commit to backing the tax measure.