Morning Roundup: "GOP Leaders Scramble" Edition
It’s a tale as old as time. Republicans try to jam major legislation through the House. Their Members don’t get a chance to see a bill. And Republican leaders end up scrambling to win over support after last minute defections and internal disagreements. This morning’s coverage shows tomorrow’s budget vote may be “a real nail-biter.” Here’s a look at the highlights:
Politico: GOP leaders scramble for tax deduction fix before budget vote
Washington Post: White House, GOP leaders scramble to prevent last-minute defections on tax-related measure
CQ: Tax Fight Complicates Final House Vote on Budget
Politico: GOP leaders scramble for tax deduction fix before budget vote
“House Republican leaders are in a mad dash to resolve a dispute between GOP tax writers and Republicans from high-tax states that has the potential to make Thursday's budget vote a real nail-biter.”
“A handful of New York Republicans, along with a New Jersey lawmaker, are threatening to vote against the budget unless GOP leaders retreat from plans to eliminate a key federal deduction that people can take for the state and local taxes they pay.”
“‘There would need to be more progress made in figuring out the solution on this issue in order for me to vote for the resolution on Thursday,’ said Rep. Lee Zeldin, a New York Republican who’s close to President Donald Trump. ‘As of right now, I don’t have enough answers to vote ‘yes’ on the budget.’”
“Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) has gone even further and is calling for Republican donors to cut off all contributions to national Republican groups in the absence of any commitment from GOP leaders not to tamper with the deduction, or at least compromise.”
“A handful of New York Republicans, along with a New Jersey lawmaker, are threatening to vote against the budget unless GOP leaders retreat from plans to eliminate a key federal deduction that people can take for the state and local taxes they pay.”
“‘There would need to be more progress made in figuring out the solution on this issue in order for me to vote for the resolution on Thursday,’ said Rep. Lee Zeldin, a New York Republican who’s close to President Donald Trump. ‘As of right now, I don’t have enough answers to vote ‘yes’ on the budget.’”
“Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) has gone even further and is calling for Republican donors to cut off all contributions to national Republican groups in the absence of any commitment from GOP leaders not to tamper with the deduction, or at least compromise.”
Washington Post: White House, GOP leaders scramble to prevent last-minute defections on tax-related measure
“The White House and House Republican leaders scrambled Tuesday to prevent a rank-and-file rebellion from several lawmakers who threatened to block a key vote in the tax-cut process unless they get assurances about the bill’s impact on their constituents.”
“The clash centers on an expected provision in the GOP’s tax-cut plan that would prohibit people from deducting the state and local taxes they pay from their federal taxable income. Taxpayers are allowed to deduct these taxes in a way that lowers their taxable income, but GOP leaders want to prohibit the practice going forward, in part to raise more revenue.”
“Several Republicans in those states have signaled to GOP leaders in recent days that they won’t support a House budget resolution on Thursday unless they can have assurances about the potential impact of the tax plan. Passage of the budget resolution is vital if Republicans want to eventually pass a tax-cut package without support from Democrats.”
“The last-minute standoff shows how fragile the GOP coalition is as Republicans try to speed the tax-cut bill through Congress. They have held many of the details of the package secret, worried about insurrections from members who have constituents that would be impacted.”
“The clash centers on an expected provision in the GOP’s tax-cut plan that would prohibit people from deducting the state and local taxes they pay from their federal taxable income. Taxpayers are allowed to deduct these taxes in a way that lowers their taxable income, but GOP leaders want to prohibit the practice going forward, in part to raise more revenue.”
“Several Republicans in those states have signaled to GOP leaders in recent days that they won’t support a House budget resolution on Thursday unless they can have assurances about the potential impact of the tax plan. Passage of the budget resolution is vital if Republicans want to eventually pass a tax-cut package without support from Democrats.”
“The last-minute standoff shows how fragile the GOP coalition is as Republicans try to speed the tax-cut bill through Congress. They have held many of the details of the package secret, worried about insurrections from members who have constituents that would be impacted.”
CQ: Tax Fight Complicates Final House Vote on Budget
“Congress is just two days away from adopting a fiscal 2018 budget resolution and formally sending reconciliation instructions to its tax-writing committees, after the House Rules Committee approved a closed rule for floor consideration of the Senate’s budget resolution.”
“However, GOP leaders still have to navigate concerns from Republicans from high-tax states wary of voting for a budget that might fast-track limits to deductions for state and local taxes that could disproportionately impact their constituents.”
“Republican leaders met Tuesday with lawmakers such as Leonard Lance and Tom MacArthur of New Jersey, who said they would vote 'no' on the budget unless a SALT deal was reached. MacArthur said concerns over SALT might be enough to imperil Thursday's floor vote, although he cautioned he had not conducted a whip count.”
“However, GOP leaders still have to navigate concerns from Republicans from high-tax states wary of voting for a budget that might fast-track limits to deductions for state and local taxes that could disproportionately impact their constituents.”
“Republican leaders met Tuesday with lawmakers such as Leonard Lance and Tom MacArthur of New Jersey, who said they would vote 'no' on the budget unless a SALT deal was reached. MacArthur said concerns over SALT might be enough to imperil Thursday's floor vote, although he cautioned he had not conducted a whip count.”