House GOP nears plan for Trump’s agenda — but may not have the votes
Republicans will attempt a tax and spending bill that will not require substantial budget cuts, but there may be serious math problems ahead.
“… GOP leadership earlier this week unveiled a plan to lawmakers that will cut $315 billion in spending over 10 years, but will add another $325 billion in spending on Trump’s national security and immigration crackdown, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private briefings.
Major portions of Trump’s 2017 tax cut — which lowered rates for businesses and all income brackets but concentrated benefits among the most wealthy — are set to expire at the end of the year. The House GOP plans to extend those provisions and add other business tax incentives, at a cost of $5.5 trillion over a decade.
Because the legislation mainly aims to renew some expiring policies, Republicans will not factor in the cost of the tax cuts in the bill, though they will claim projected increases in federal revenue from much-hoped-for private-sector growth, the people said.
… Johnson laid out this framework during closed-door meetings at the GOP’s policy retreat this week at Trump’s Doral, Florida, golf resort. Republicans hoped to leave the three-day gathering with a “blueprint,” he said, to proceed on a “reconciliation” package; special legislation that allows the GOP to head off a Democratic Senate filibuster.
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It’s not clear how the House’s blueprint accounts for some of Trump’s other campaign promises, including ending taxes on tips, overtime wages and Social Security benefits, which would add $3.6 trillion to the national debt over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The GOP also expects to factor in Trump’s tariffs as revenue that will reduce the legislation’s price tag, the people said. …”