"If you think health care was checkers," Loomis said, "tax reform is chess."

[riversedge]

Article speculates that Trump may turn to Mitch for next big issue.

Mitch McConnell is one of few top Republicans untouched by GOP’s health care disaster

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/03/mitch-mcconnell-is-one-of-few-top-republicans-untouched-by-gops-health-care-disaster/
March 24, 2017


Curtis Tate


McClatchy Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON ...................


McConnell had plenty to lose by twisting arms and making deals to get the bill passed. The Senate has its own bruising battles ahead in the next few weeks, including a Supreme Court nomination and bills to fund keep the government open and increase the nation's debt limit. He didn't need a fight on health care.

"He's having a nice bourbon tonight," said Burdett Loomis, a political science professor at the University of Kansas and an expert on Congress.

After the failure of the health care bill, Loomis said President Donald Trump may turn to McConnell, a seasoned legislator who's been in the Senate for more than three decades, for help with other priorities.

Republicans would like to overhaul the nation's tax system. President Ronald Reagan accomplished this in 1986, Loomis said, and McConnell was there.

"If you think health care was checkers," Loomis said, "tax reform is chess."

..............................

[Jonny Appleseed]

1. McConnell is still a spry young buck barely out of adolescence; he'll recover

After all Aldabra Giant Tortoises can live 250 years

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It's only a matter of time before the fiscal hawk wing of the GOP rears its head

when it comes to the tax issue. And with the debt ceiling coming up (which should have raised red flags this month although I expect the so-called, suddenly-unmentioned-in-the-media, "extraordinary measures" are in play) and the fiscal year 2017 appropriations (the government is still operating under a continuing resolution until April 28th), the "Jeff Flakes" of the Senate will be stepping forward eventually and the previously-dormant Grover Norquist will reappear.

And of course they always take an "Easter (Spring) Recess" - just checked and it is April 10th - 21st - https://www.senate.gov/legislative/2017_schedule.htm

The House has the same period off, with no votes scheduled the Friday before (April 7th) and Monday after (April 24th).

The "first 100 days" ends on April 29th so the clock is ticking with only about 4 weeks (20 working days) left before the end of the "100 days".