Rubio a 'no' on GOP tax bill unless tax credit for working poor is expanded

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post



By Washington Post Staff December 14 at 1:40 PM

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) informed Senate leaders he intends to vote against the Republicans’ $1.5 trillion tax plan unless it includes a larger expansion of a child tax credit, according to a Senate GOP source.

Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) proposed a change to expand the tax credit as part of the tax bill that passed the Senate, but the plan was opposed by GOP leadership and voted down. He has been negotiating a change to the child tax credit that would allow millions more low-income families to take advantage of the bill’s expanded credit.

If Rubio votes against the bill, Republicans can afford to only lose one more vote on their tax plan and pass it through the Senate. They control 52 seats in the Senate and need 50 to pass their bill, as Vice President Pence could break a tie. But Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) already opposes the plan because of its effect on the federal deficit.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/12/14/rubio-a-no-on-gop-tax-bill-unless-tax-credit-for-working-poor-is-expanded

[lark]

1. Rubio's got some scam going on this.

He's the same person who said it is important to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to pay for the billionaire friendly tax bill. So, now he wants to add money for children while cutting it for their parents/grandparents who will have lots less money for education, also due to cuts in the aforesaid travesty? He's an ass.

[apnu]

5. I think he's just a moron.

He clearly has no idea how Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are funded.

I think he's feeling the heat at home, this tax plan is profoundly unpopular. Which is why they are so desperate to pass it right now before the Christmas break.

So many Republicans are suddenly talking about retirement (such as Ryan), they know the electorate's mood is very sour on them.

[Honeycombe8]

15. I wonder about this, too. While child tax credits are important, if you're POOR...

a tax credit isn't that helpful, because the dollar amount of your taxes is pretty low (because you don't have much income). Still, it's helpful for the working class...but not a lot of political punch back for him, which is why politicians do things, esp Republicans (who are not known to be compassionate).

[Igel]

24. There are two kinds of tax credit.

One is refundable; one isn't.

Much of the child tax credit in the current proposals are refundable. If you get $1k in tax credit and owe $500 in taxes, you suddenly get a $500 refund even if you have paid $0 taxes already.

Part of the tax credit isn't refundable. But he wants the tax credit refundable "against payroll taxes." Because even poor people pay FICA and Medicaid-related taxes. This would at least partially refund money that they paid for those purposes.

In other words, it would give poor people who pay low taxes refunds instead of just zeroing out their tax bill, and would increase their refunds by some amount that they paid for payroll tax.

[dembotoz]

2. would not be surprised to see ron johnson do his grand standing

rojo will obviously vote for the bill but he likes the attention like a spoiled 2 yr old

[Honeycombe8]

16. He wants to be courted. Foreplay, you know. nt

[BigmanPigman]

3. Just added them to my list of reps to call today.

[leftieNanner]

4. Rubio :(

He always does this. Grandstanding as if he were a man of principle - and then voting for the crap bill anyway.

Go get a drink of water, Marco.

[Old Vet]

25. Thats the game plan for sure..............

[yallerdawg]

6. WE NEED JUST 3 REPUBLICANS!

I'll take ANY 3, and if the Dotard was nasty to them during the primary - even better!

[exboyfil]

7. Is Corker still on board

Has anyone challenged Collins on her idiotic statements about the cuts paying for themselves.

Flake?

Anyone else?

[yallerdawg]

8. I don't wish ill on anyone, but...

John McCain and Thad Cochran are both away with medical issues.

This vote is looking screwy, like ACA repeal and replace.

[exboyfil]

9. With Corker that would be

49/49 with VP to break tie. Still not good enough.

Rubio and Paul?

[yallerdawg]

10. No. 49 is it.

Need 50/50 for Pence to break tie.

[exboyfil]

11. Really?

I thought it only required some quorum and a tied vote.

Gore broke a tie for 50-49 in 1993

H.R. 2264 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tie-breaking_votes_cast_by_vice_presidents_of_the_United_States

[yallerdawg]

14. I can't find a definitive answer.

This seems to say you need at least 50, but I'm not sure now?

Timing of Senate tax vote uncertain due to absences

Senate GOP leadership is confident that they will have the votes to pass the tax deal next week, before leaving Washington for the year.

But they face a narrow path with a 52-seat majority, meaning they can only afford to lose two GOP senators and still have Vice President Pence break a tie.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) voted against the Senate's tax bill and indicated this week that he's undecided on the conference report, saying it doesn't address his concerns about the deficit.

If Corker remains a "no" on the tax bill, GOP leadership would need either McCain or Cochran’s vote for passage.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/364923-timing-of-senate-tax-vote-uncertain-due-to-absences

[brush]

12. Nothing but postering. He'll toe the repug line whatever happens.

[kwalter66]

13. it requires

50+1

[Trumpdumper]

18. No

Any tie vote in the Senate, no matter how many take part in the tally, can be broken by the Vice President. The relevant clause in the Constitution is that “they be equally divided.”

[Faygo Kid]

17. He'll cave. Political posturing.

Just retired to Florida. He is a fraud.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

19. This

[LenaBaby61]

29. "He'll cave. Political posturing."

More than likely ....

[grantcart]

20. The significance of this is that they had leaked that they had the votes for the bill.

Clearly they don't.

If Rubio still wants changes it means that they are still handing out goodies and they don't have the votes.

With McCain likely to be a no show (and possibly not wanting to show even if he could) this bill is still in trouble.

I don't think that Rubio will be the one to kill it but others will.

[FakeNoose]

21. Yes this is perfect timing

Even if that's all it is, just stall 'til the end of the year. Or else get Doug Jones sworn in early.

[leftieNanner]

27. HAHAHAHAHA

As if Mitch will actually swear him in early!!! He would probably prefer to pull a "Garland" (ie. Merrick) and not seat him at all.

[Cicada]

22. Rubio is far and away the most dangerous Republican

Rubio is the only Republican who will be hard to defeat. I assume a Dem will be elected President in 2020. Hopefully Rubio supporting a break for poor parents will poison him with Repub primary voters. But a young attractive Hispanic from the big swing state of Florida is a nightmare.

[Bob Loblaw]

23. Riiiiight

nt

[Kablooie]

26. He's a no until time to vote, you mean, whether he gets what he asks or not.

[DeminPennswoods]

28. Regardless, McConnell can't lose more revenue now

without offsetting it somewhere else or the tax cut can't meet the Senate's rules for going through reconcilliation. If he gives in to Rubio and Lee, he'll have to cut something else that the conference cmte members will agree to.

And McConnell has to worry that McCain and Cochran's health will allow them to be able to cast their votes on the Senate floor.

If I were Doug Jones, I'd be asking that Strange abstain or vote "present" when the tax cut comes up for a vote. I doubt Strange would do it, but I'd ask.