Posted on 04/02/2025 4:05:26 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Senate Republicans led by South Carolina's Lindsey Graham are reportedly set to bypass the Senate parliamentarian and her expected ruling this week on whether they can use a legislative process – known as budget reconciliation – to pass President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.
The process can be used only if such an initiative doesn't increase the federal deficit. Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has yet to decide, so the GOP is forging ahead, in an apparent effort not to appear to be overruling her.
Graham, as Senate Budget Committee chairman, has determined, based on "scoring" the budget resolution, which includes Trump's tax extensions, that it does increase the deficit.
“We think the law is very clear, and ultimately the budget committee chairman makes that determination,” Senate Republican leader John Thune said Tuesday.
The South Dakota lawmaker also argued Graham has the authority to decide whether extending the tax cuts would add to the deficit and need for them to be offset by big spending cuts or revenue-raising proposals, according to The Hill newspaper.
Still, Senate Republicans' biggest procedural concern is whether they can project their impact on future deficits by scoring them as “current policy.”
If extending the 2017 cuts is found to be an extension of current policy, then they won’t be counted as officially adding to future deficits, which would allow Republicans to extend the tax cuts permanently, also according to The Hill.
Democrats are planning to request that the parliamentarian rule that the GOP must use current law baseline to estimate the cost of the tax cuts.
"Republicans are so hell-bent on giving these tax breaks to the billionaires that they’re willing to break any rules, norms and things they promised they wouldn’t do,” Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer said.
(Excerpt) Read more at justthenews.com ...
Lower tax rates do not cost revenue.
Anyone that believes that should get out of government.
Idiots.
Government spending has been completely decoupled from income tax revenue. They spend whatever they want.
The only current purpose of the income tax is to punish the people you don't like and force them to obey you.
“Elizabeth MacDonough (born February 16, 1966) is an American lawyer and the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate since 2012. She is the first woman and Democrat to hold the position. MacDonough guided the Senate through the first and second impeachment trials of Donald Trump, and she and her staff brought the Electoral College certificates to safety during the January 6 Capitol attack.”
So the Senate is only allowed to do what a hard core Demonrat hack decides is ok?
“Graham, as Senate Budget Committee chairman, has determined, based on “scoring” the budget resolution, which includes Trump’s tax extensions, that it does increase the deficit.”
Where did they get this? Not in their source article which indicates the oppositè.
That would include Linda.
Please.
Senate parliamentarian.... this hack has been there since 2012, and is supposed to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.
She makes 203,000 a year.
Why is a demonrat in that position?
Also BTW, The role of the parliamentary staff is advisory, and the presiding officer or Senate may overrule the advice of the Parliamentarian.
Just think how much better it would be if we controlled the Sena…. Oh wait.
Why does she have that power?
What a swamp tool
“””””Republicans are so hell-bent on giving these tax breaks to the billionaires that they’re willing to break any rules, norms and things they promised they wouldn’t do,” Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer said.””””
He must be talking about the reduction of the lowest tax bracket from 12% to 10% in Trumps tax cut from 2017. Well, the jokes on you because I have been told the rich don’t pay taxes.
“...Republicans are so hell-bent on giving these tax breaks to the billionaires...”
When a democrat makes comments like this, you know what the republicans are doing is good for the people...
The Laffer curve is real and cannot be debated. You can only discuss where on the curve you are.
Once again we get this bullcrap that cutting taxes “costs” the government and is regarded as spending that must be “paid for”.
She should be added to the DOGE "to do" list.
The Parliamentarian is only an advisor and serves at the pleasure of the Majority Leader.
Extend? Damn it make them permanent.
All the leftist sheep who insisted the 2017 tax cuts only went to millionaires and billionaires (they heard that on CNN) will be singing a different tune when their paycheck is suddenly $100 to 200 less each month.
They will be screaming “Trump increased my taxes!”.
“The South Dakota lawmaker also argued Graham has the authority to decide whether extending the tax cuts would add to the deficit and need for them to be offset by big spending cuts or revenue-raising proposals, according to The Hill newspaper.”
A Tax cut IS revenue raising.
Republican position that extending present tax rates is not a tax cut.
I believe the Laffer curve.
In economics classes in college the old school profs (1978ish) insisted the Phillios curve was real.
Reagan killed that.
They laughed at Laffer and even Milton Friedman.
While we are at it get rid of the rat Parliamentarian.
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