The Republican Turnaround Starts This Week With Health Care and Tax Reform – Daily Beast
The Republican game plan for summer is on course, despite the fury about Russiagate, staffing in the Executive Branch, exciting results of the four special elections for the House, and the unbreathable Washington climate of distrust, disorder, and dishonor.
While the Democrats storm about the presidents temperament and tweets, and especially as Obama administration veterans tell tales about how they scolded the Kremlin for meddling in the election, the winners from Nov. 8, 2016, are beavering away with their majority position and their candid mandate on the economy.
After so many sparkling distractions by Russiagates venerated special counsel, Robert Mueller, it is useful to restate the simple, unwavering, conservative Republican ambition.
The first step is to transform into law of the land the American Health Care Act that was passed by the Republican House on May 4.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has now delivered a Senate version of the AHCA that can attract 50 Republican votes to leave Vice President Mike Pence to break the tie.
The AHCA then goes to reconciliation to solve the differences between the House version, which favors the repeal side of the GOP-despised Affordable Care Act, and the Senate version, which leans toward the replace side of the ACA.
The second step of the GOP plan begins in the reconciliation, and it includes components of the Trump administrations tax-reform proposal.
There is an opinion under discussion at the White House that, since the AHCA is a fiscal bill, there is no restriction to attaching another fiscal bill to the reconciliation. The Republican plan includes a possibility of attaching elements of President Trumps business-tax reform.
Larry Kudlow of CNBC reports that the Republican leadership, including Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows of North Carolina, are in discussion about attaching to the AHCA bill what Kudlow and his colleague Steve Moore of Heritage have dubbed Three Easy Pieces of business-tax reform.
First, cut the corporate tax rate for large and small, Kudlow explained last week, including pass-throughs, from 35 to 15 [percent]. Would have an electric effect on investment. Thats large and small. Seventy percent of the benefits go to the wage earners. Middle-class tax cut.
Second, all new investment would be expensed immediately. Right off. Tremendous.
And finally, repatriate whatever. Three trillion dollars overseas. American companies bring their cash home. A one-time toll of 10 percent, and thats all.
Get The Beast In Your Inbox!
Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.
A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).
Subscribe
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason.
The Republican opinion is that these two bold fiscal steps, health care and tax reform, will satisfy the critical campaign promises of 2016 and will make 2018 a strong showing to return Republican majorities to the Hill.
What can go wrong? The challenge to the GOP plan is the legislative calendar. There are less than two dozen days for the Republicans to hash out the AHCA reconciliation before the August recess. Returning after Labor Day, there are only 64 days left in the year to do the heavy lifting of a proposed Omnibus bill for all of tax reform, business and personal, in addition to renewing the debt limit and passing a budget.
The solution to such a small window for the Republicans is to forgo the August recess in order to solve reconciliation and attach to it the Three Easy Pieces. Meadows is a strong advocate of staying in Washington and gaining the much-needed days for debate on health care.
The entire Republican Party favors the business-tax cuts large and small, Kudlow told me. The whole party. In fact a lot of Democrats favor it. Health care was a big disagreement among Republicans. There will be no big disagreement on the tax cuts.
It is a simple path to success. A small caveat is that the Democrats will object to the AHCA, because of the Congressional Budget Office scoring that could render it a budget-buster.
However, there is a solution under discussion between the Hill and the White House.
Legally, technically, Kudlow explained of the planning in GOP leadership, you can attach the tax-cut bill to the health-care bill. Theyre both fiscal bills, OK, thats the key point. You do not have to use the CBO estimates for the economy You dont have to use the 10-year scorecard window. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania is proposing 20 years. That will take care of all the revenue needs. All of them.
The plan is now entirely in the hands of Republicans, who have the votes, the resolve and the skill to succeed without need of any Democratic opinions or votes.
The Democratic leadership is completely informed of the Republican game plan.
After last Tuesdays efficient Republican victories in Georgia and South Carolina, disgruntled Democratic members of Congress have spoken out against leaders such as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for devoting so much energy and time to disdaining Trump instead of developing an answer to the GOP fiscal dyad of health care and taxes.
Joe Rago of The Wall Street Journal editorial board told me two weeks back that the GOP Senate was enjoying the calm of constructing its version of AHCA while the Democrats and the major media were frantic on the front pages about Trump and Putin.
The latest anxious Democratic voice is Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who can see the game getting away from him as surely as he can read the melodramatic headlines about Russiagates hypothetical colluding, blackmailing, hacking, obstructing, interfering, meddling.
Democrats need a strong, bold, sharp-edged, and commonsense economic agenda, Schumer declared on TV, adding Its what we are missing, and its not going to be baby stepsits going to be bold.
The irony is that Schumer is describing exactly the GOP plan to win by Labor Day.
Just in case Schumers frustration with the Democratic obsession with Trump was not obvious, the New York senator added, When you lose an election, you dont blame other people. You blame yourself.
Go here to read the rest:
The Republican Turnaround Starts This Week With Health Care and Tax Reform - Daily Beast
- Republican senators break ranks to call for investigation of Signal leak scandal - The Guardian US - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the US House, has died - The Associated Press - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican Abortion Laws Are Torturing Women. Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis? - The Texas Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Texas Republican Introduces Bill to Address the Nonexistent Problem of Furries in Schools - Them - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican party committees lead in cumulative fundraising as of second finance deadline of the 2026 election cycle - Ballotpedia News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Theres a tug-of-war in the Republican party over Waltzs Signal chat - POLITICO - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Trumps job cuts are causing Republican angst as all parties face backlash - The Conversation - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Key Republican says savings goal for Trump agenda bill can be reached without cutting Medicaid benefits - POLITICO - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The NYS Senate Republican Conference Demands Changes to Discovery Law be Included in State Budget - THE WELLSVILLE SUN - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the US House, has died - ABC News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Could California voters be warming to the idea of a Republican governor in 2026? - Sacramento Bee - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Mia Love, First Black Republican Woman Elected to Congress, Dies at 49 - The New York Times - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican candidate for Canonsburg-based magistrate race removed from ballot - Observer-Reporter - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- UnitedHealthcare 'Pushing' Boundaries of Medicare Fraud, Republican Says - Newsweek - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Inside a heated town hall where a Nebraska Republican faced backlash over Trump's policies - PBS NewsHour - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Who's running in Olive Branch? A look at the Republican primary ballot and contested races - Commercial Appeal - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- A Republican-backed bill would upend voter registration. Here are 8 things to know - NPR - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- With Anderson likely heading to D.C., Republican Party of Virginia could pick a new chair next month - Virginia Mercury - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Sins of the past do not budge Republican Senate from voting to end DEI in higher ed - Kentucky Lantern - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Full-Year Continuing Resolution - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Continuing Resolution Raises Housing Costs for Hardworking Americans - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tariffs Offer Latest Example of Trump Remaking the Republican Party | Opinion - Newsweek - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- How the White House hired Republican political firms to launch an anti-migrant ad campaign - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Contentious Republican town halls are going viral - The Verge - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- They live in Californias Republican districts. They feel betrayed by looming health care cuts - CalMatters - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican threats push DC to begin removing "Black Lives Matter" plaza from street near White House - Milwaukee Independent - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Vindman pushes for no pay during shutdown, criticizes Republican bill and executive orders - CBS19 News - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Some Republican lawmakers have concerns about Elon Musk and DOGE. Here's what they've said - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican leadership tells party to stop holding public events what impact will that have? - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DeLauro Releases Fact Sheet on Republican Funding Bill that Accelerates the Stealing of Taxpayer Funds from American Families and Businesses - House... - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Berkeley Talks: Heather Cox Richardson on the evolution of the Republican Party and what gives her hope for America - UC Berkeley - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Trump administration briefing: US backs Russia ahead of G7, Republican spending bill boosts defense - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Sen. Dan Thatcher is leaving Utahs Republican Party to break the deadlock in politics - Salt Lake Tribune - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Republican-led bill would limit investors to 2,000 homes in Georgia - WABE 90.1 FM - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Analysis | The Republican governor leading states response to Trump - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Opinion | The Houses Republican edge is gone. But the gerrymander lives. - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DOGE firings provoke heated confrontations, shouts of Nazi, at Republican town halls - Los Angeles Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Record Surge in Republican Satisfaction With State of Nation - Gallup.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Senator Murray Raises Alarm Over Looming Republican Cuts to Medicaid, with Health Care Workers in Central and Eastern WA - Senator Patty Murray - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET REPRESENTS THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries - Congressman Hakeem... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Police forces lean Republican, but partisan politics dont greatly influence officer actions - PsyPost - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universities funding over DEI ban - The Texas Tribune - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- There appears to be one Republican serious about fixing government spending | Opinion - USA TODAY - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Is it true Republican tax cuts are the biggest federal debt driver since 2001? - Austin American-Statesman - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Republican Men and Women Are Changing Their Minds About How Women Should Behave - The New York Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Trump And Republican Budget May Drain Medicaid To Pay For Huge Tax Cut - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Congresswoman Betty McCollum: I Will Vote No on the Republican Budget Scheme - Betty McCollum - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Joe Wilson announces plan to propose $250 bill featuring Trump - Fox News - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The Republican House Budget Resolution's Potential $880 Billion in Medicaid Cuts by Congressional District - Center For American Progress - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL SET IN MOTION THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries -... - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What's in the House Republican budget bill? | The Excerpt - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Heres Whats in the House Republican Budget and What Comes Next - The New York Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Rep. Carbajal on the House Passing the Republican Budget That Slashes Funding for Medicaid and SNAP - Salud Carbajal - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Republican Heather Hill, Appalachian entrepreneur, is inspired by tragedies to run for Ohio governor - Washington Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Warren Davidson is the latest Republican to oppose the House budget - POLITICO - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What is in the just-passed House Republican budget bill? What to know - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Evers takes his budget on the road. Will Republican lawmakers hear from voters? - Wisconsin Examiner - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- A Georgia Republican known for her `Jesus, Guns and Babies' slogan is running for Congress - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The end of USAID? For this Republican aid expert, it's too early to tell - Devex - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- AARP Makes the Republican Case for Adding a Caregiver Tax Credit - ThinkAdvisor - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Republican lawmaker is fundraising off petition to 'arrest and deport' Rep. Ilhan Omar to Somalia - New York Post - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- The Republican war on science takes a drastic turn for the worse - MSNBC - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Another Republican senator goes against Trump's 'poorly conceived' NIH funding cuts - ABC News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- As an Elected Republican Who Believes in the Rapture, This Is My Chance to Shine - McSweeney's Internet Tendency - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Hochul Halts Bill Aimed at Weakening Republican Control of House - The New York Times - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- We are witnessing the rise of a new Republican Southern Strategy - The Guardian US - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- State Democratic and Republican party chairs look forward to governors race - GBH News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- John Jagler Talks Republican Bill Aiming To Reverse DPI Standards - Daily Dodge - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- House Republican schemes to deprive millions of women of voting rights - People's World - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Senator launches investigation into Jason Krasley, who landed a job at a top sex-abuse watchdog but was recently charged with sex abuse -... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Jeff Kaufmann reelected to lead Republican Party of Iowa - Iowa Public Radio - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican AGs back Trump federal employee buyout as judge decides 'Fork in the Road' directive's fate - Fox Business - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Club of Longboat Key ready to kick off 2025 year with first event - Your Observer - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Veterans in Congress Are Privately Lobbying Trump on Resettling Afghan Allies - NOTUS - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Meet 'Republican hair': It's blonde, bouncy, and really doesn't have a political party - Business Insider - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican state AGs back Trump birthright citizenship order in court filing: 'Taxpayers are on the hook' - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Opinion: Trump didnt break the Republican Party. He harnessed it. - Salt Lake Tribune - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- NEW: Republican Reconciliation Bill Could Slash Medicaid Benefits for 22 Million Americans to Extend Tax Cuts for Billionaires - Democrats.org - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- DEI not to blame in crash, says top Republican overseeing FAA - POLITICO - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Two reasons why a Republican could win this years race for governor | Moran - NJ.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]