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Will Congress deliver Trump's tax cuts?

Apr 15, 2025
Caitlin Reilly, a tax and economics reporter at CQ Roll Call, breaks down Congress's complicated journey towards enacting Trump’s tax cuts. She delves into the reconciliation process, explaining how it makes certain tax cuts appear budget-friendly. The conversation also touches on the political tug-of-war within Congress and the implications of the U.S.-China trade war on Boeing. Additionally, Reilly humorously addresses skepticism about the likelihood of bipartisan support for tax reform amidst current political divisions.
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INSIGHT

Budget Reconciliation Explained

  • Congress uses budget reconciliation to pass legislation with a simple majority, avoiding the 60-vote filibuster.
  • This process has been used by both parties to enact major legislative priorities.
INSIGHT

Current Policy Baseline Tactic

  • Senate Republicans are attempting to use a "current policy baseline" to make 2017 tax cuts permanent without offsetting costs.
  • This tactic, if successful, could significantly change how budget reconciliation works and weaken the Senate filibuster.
INSIGHT

House-Senate Budget Disagreement

  • The House and Senate disagree on the budget resolution, particularly regarding the cost of extending tax cuts.
  • House fiscal hawks criticize the Senate's approach, which they say would add trillions to the deficit.
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