Senate Republicans are moving forward with a budget plan aimed at permanently extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, a move they argue is crucial to prevent a massive tax increase on American families.
The Senate advanced the budget blueprint on Thursday with a 52-48 vote. GOP lawmakers contend that allowing the tax cuts to expire would result in an estimated $4 trillion tax hike for Americans in 2026.
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Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso emphasized the urgency of the situation on the Senate floor. “Let me be clear — a $4 trillion Democrat tax increase on American families would be devastating,” Barrasso stated. “Senate Republicans are fighting to stop it. Republicans want to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. Republicans want to reverse the Democrat failures of the past four years. Republicans are focused on getting America back on track.”
Barrasso also highlighted the widespread impact of the 2017 tax reform. “Ninety percent of Americans saw their taxes go down because of tax reform,” he said, adding that it would be “disastrous” for Democrats to “choke off the chance for Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money.”
Congressional Republicans intend to use the budget reconciliation process to enact their legislative agenda, including the permanent tax cuts. This process allows Senate Republicans to bypass the filibuster and pass legislation with a simple majority vote. The budget resolution is expected to pave the way for a broader tax and spending bill that could also include funding for border security, defense, and other presidential priorities, such as eliminating taxes on tips.
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A key element of the Senate plan is the use of a “current policy baseline” for budget scoring. This approach treats the extension of the 2017 tax cuts as a continuation of existing policy, effectively neutralizing their cost in the budget. Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are aligned with Trump in viewing permanent tax relief as essential.
“Americans should not have to live in fear of a tax hike every few years,” Thune stated on Thursday.
The Senate parliamentarian has indicated that the current-policy baseline approach is permissible for floor consideration, according to Senate GOP leadership.
While some deficit-concerned Republicans have expressed reservations about this accounting tactic, President Trump has endorsed the budget resolution. “Every Republican, House and Senate, must UNIFY,” Trump urged in a social media post. “We need to pass it IMMEDIATELY!”
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Following the Senate’s approval of the budget resolution, the chamber will proceed with a period of debate and a “vote-a-rama,” during which Senate Democrats are expected to introduce numerous amendments.
The budget blueprint will then be sent to the House for consideration.
Senate Republicans are expected to argue that failing to pass the budget resolution would result in a tax increase for a majority of Americans. According to a Tax Foundation analysis, the average American household earning $80,000 annually would face a $1,700 tax increase if the 2017 tax cut provisions expire.
The article also notes that no Senate Democrat supported the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
“It is almost Democrats’ favorite day – Tax Day,” Barrasso said, addressing his Democratic colleagues. “Right now, millions of Americans are filing their taxes. As they do, I ask myself and I wonder if they know that Democrats right here in the United States Senate want to raise their taxes by $4 trillion?”
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