Republicans scramble for solutions on Trump legislative agenda after punting vote
House Republicans are scrambling to find a solution to internal disagreements over their plan to pass President Trump’s sprawling agenda, an effort that kicked into high gear after leadership was forced to punt a key vote this week — and as the Senate inches closer to moving ahead with its alternative plan.
During a late-night meeting in the Capitol Tuesday night, lawmakers — including hardline conservatives, moderates and members of leadership — discussed potentially moving a five-year reconciliation package, to advance Trump’s agenda, three sources told The Hill, floating an abridged piece of legislation as the conference remains at odds over spending cuts.
Throughout the budget reconciliation process Republicans have been operating under the assumption that the package full of Trump’s priorities — which include expensive tax extensions and exemptions — would last for 10 years. Shortening that timeframe would drastically lower the projected cost of the proposal in scoring.
A reduction in the overall price tag could help gin up support among hardline conservatives, many of whom are demanding that the package be deficit neutral — a goal that would be more attainable with a lower cost. But it would also shorten the lifespan of the extended........
© The Hill
