Senate Republicans Plan to Bypass Parliamentarian on 2017 Tax Cuts

Senate Republicans are pursuing a strategy to bypass the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, to extend President Trump's 2017 tax cuts without accounting for their impact on the deficit. GOP leaders argue that Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham has the authority to determine the fiscal implications, effectively treating the tax cuts as an extension of current policy, which would not be counted as adding to future deficits. This approach has drawn criticism from Democrats, who label it as 'magic math' and accuse Republicans of undermining Senate rules. Despite the controversies, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican leaders are signaling that they intend to move forward with this plan, suggesting that a formal ruling from the parliamentarian may not be necessary. The outcome of this maneuver could significantly impact the Republican agenda and the permanence of the tax cuts. As they prepare for a budget vote, the GOP is weighing their options for advancing this legislation despite potential procedural challenges.