The Senate will vote as early as Wednesday to advance a major tax reform bill, the number-two Senate Republican said Monday.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he hopes to bring the legislation to the floor by Wednesday. It would require 51 votes to begin debate and no Democrats are expected to support the plan. Republicans control 52 votes, and it is virtually certain they will vote to start debate on the measure.
But Republicans are not done negotiating the details of the bill. Two Republicans, Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Steve Daines of Montana, said they can’t vote to pass the bill unless small business tax breaks are expanded.
On Monday, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told reporters the tax reform legislation will undergo changes before final passage to address the concerns of some senators.
Lankford said he is seeking some kind of “backstop” in case the tax overhaul does not produce the 4 percent economic growth that proponents of the bill say will keep the cuts from increasing the deficit.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., did not specify when the bill would be up for the first round of votes.
“This week, the Senate will continue our years-long effort toward tax reform,” McConnell said Monday.
The bill is being considered under special “reconciliation” rules that would allow it to pass with just 51 votes to circumvent a filibuster by the Democrats.
McConnell said Monday that the bill, like past reconciliation measures, will be open for unlimited amendments, which makes the timing of a vote on final passage uncertain.
