Senate Republicans are asserting their intent to block a bipartisan tax deal that received approval in the House on Wednesday night. The threat of a filibuster looms, with Senate Minority Whip John Thune emphasizing the need for amendments to the legislation.
Despite securing an overwhelming 357 votes in the House, Thune insists that Senate Republicans require the opportunity to modify certain aspects of the deal.
The collaborative effort behind the tax deal was led by House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith and Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden. However, members of the Senate minority, particularly Republicans, are dissatisfied with specific elements of the agreement.
Senate GOP (Credits: The Hill)
Thune pinpointed the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) as a major concern for the GOP, specifically mentioning the detachment of the CTC from the work requirement, which has stirred unease among Republicans.
Thune emphasized the necessity for a process allowing amendments to address and rectify concerns. He proposed the creation of a floor process enabling amendment votes or, ideally, discussions within the Senate Finance Committee.
Thune warned Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that attempting to pass the bill without accommodating an amendment process would face resistance and fall short of the required 60 votes.
On Thursday afternoon, Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden met with Schumer to discuss the subsequent steps. While Wyden refrained from specifying whether the legislation might be attached to a spending bill or other legislative efforts, he expressed the desire to engage in ongoing discussions with Senate Republicans to navigate the path forward.
Following the successful House vote, which garnered 357 votes, Wyden remained optimistic about the progress. He acknowledged the need to continue conversations with Senate Republicans, expressing a commitment to finding a collaborative approach to conclude the legislative process.
