House and Senate Republicans are in disagreement over the best approach to advancing President-elect Trump’s tax agenda. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) proposed a plan that would prioritize border security and energy production before tackling tax reform. Thune’s plan involves setting up two budget reconciliation packages to allow the Senate to pass the border and energy bill, as well as the tax legislation, with just 51 votes, avoiding Democratic filibusters.
However, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), the chairman of the House’s Ways and Means Committee, expressed opposition to delaying tax reform. Smith raised concerns about the challenges of passing two budget reconciliation packages and the slim majority of House Republicans. He emphasized the importance of focusing on tax reform, which was a priority of President Trump’s campaign.
Other House Republicans, including Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Penn.), also voiced support for prioritizing the tax bill. They expressed a desire to move forward with tax reform promptly, despite Thune’s plan to address border security and energy first.
There are internal disagreements among Republicans about various provisions in the Trump tax cuts, as well as concerns about the national deficit. Budget hawks have warned about the potential impact of Trump’s proposed cuts on the deficit. Both parties have used budget reconciliation to pass key legislation, with Republicans having just 53 Senate seats next year.
Preparations for budget reconciliation with a focus on tax reform are already underway. Senate Republicans previously blocked a tax deal negotiated by Rep. Smith and Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), opting to wait for more comprehensive reforms in 2025. Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) highlighted the importance of addressing deficit concerns and mentioned plans to repeal certain provisions of the Biden administration’s infrastructure law.
Overall, while Republicans share common goals, there are debates about the best strategies and tactics to achieve them. The path forward for tax reform remains a topic of discussion and negotiation within the Republican Party. Y usaron la misma estrategia para aprobar la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación, un componente clave de la agenda económica del presidente Biden, al año siguiente.
“Vamos a seguir lo que permitió la parlamentaria en ese paquete de legislación en el ’21 que abrió la puerta a muchas más cosas de las que pudimos hacer en 2017, así que hay precedente”, dijo Scalise el miércoles.
“Se hablaba de tomar esos artículos que no han, quiero decir, algunas cosas ya se han llevado a cabo, pero hay muchos fondos que aún no se han gastado, hay muchas políticas que aún están frenando nuestra capacidad de construir cosas”, dijo.
“No se han tomado decisiones finales sobre el paquete completo”, agregó Scalise.
Al Weaver y Emily Brooks contribuyeron a este informe, que se actualizó a las 7:18 a.m. EST
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