Top Senate Republican on tax says 'Big Six' won't dictate tax reform

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters




SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 / 10:21 AM / UPDATED 44 MINUTES AGO

David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate’s top Republican on tax policy warned on Thursday that the “Big Six” tax negotiators from the White House, Senate and House of Representatives would not dictate the direction of expected tax reform legislation to his committee.

In a defiant statement issued at a time when top Republican policymakers from the Trump administration and Congress are preparing to unveil their tax reform framework, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said his panel would not serve as “anyone’s rubber stamp” and said his tax legislation would reflect the consensus views of panel members.

“Leaders in the House and Senate, including myself, as well as officials from the executive branch have been discussing various proposals,” Hatch said in a statement at the outset of a tax reform hearing. “The group – some have deemed us the Big Six – will not dictate the direction we take in this committee,” he added.

“The Finance Committee will not be bound by any previous tax reform proposal or framework when we start putting our bill together.” Hatch’s remarks appeared to signal a parting of ways from the unified approach the White House, Senate and House have been pursuing for months. House Republicans announced on Wednesday that a new tax reform framework would be unveiled on Sept. 25.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/top-senate-republican-on-tax-says-big-six-wont-dictate-tax-reform-idUSKCN1BP21D

[DallasNE]

1. "Tax Framework"?

That means that they are still stuck at square one. The CBO can't score a framework. A framework is so vague that there will be window dressing for everyone so it could garner support but still mean nothing. Where is the leadership and an actual bill that can be scored. Between the tax giveaways and infrastructure spending we could be looking at a $2 trillion budget deficit - at least that is the framework.

[Johnyawl]

2. Exactly, DallasNE...

...and a $2 trillion budget deficit will make the "freedom caucus" poop their britches. 100+ votes in the House and a dozen in the Senate will vote down any proposal adding that much to the deficit, so they will need the Dems to support this, which gives Schumer and Pelosi some leverage.

Which is why they're still stuck at square one.