$1.5 Trillion GOP Tax Cut Thread

[Sestak]

Ugh. I was hoping Democrats wouldn't do this, that they would treat any positive change as a good thing.

No, but instead, they all vote against, rather than passing it and putting pressure on McConnell.

[Sestak]

Ugh. I was hoping Democrats wouldn't do this, that they would treat any positive change as a good thing.

No, but instead, they all vote against, rather than passing it and putting pressure on McConnell.

I mean, in doing this, they are effectively helping lower taxes for corporations by 1% and refusing to increase the child tax credit.

[Sestak]

What is Blunt doing voting for this thing? This is a complete virtue-signal.


If Democrats had voted for it, they wouldn't have been able to do this.

And Cotton too...

[Sestak]

Amendment fails 28-72 with centrist Democrats and a random sprinkling of Republicans (from moderates to Cruz) voting for it.

[Sestak]

Wait, are people voting again?? I thought we were at 100?

[Sestak]

What is Blunt doing voting for this thing? This is a complete virtue-signal.


If Democrats had voted for it, they wouldn't have been able to do this.

And Cotton too...

Is the reason Dems are voting against this that they don't want to vote yea on anything that will likely be on the final bill that gets passed? Or are they trying to deny Rubio any positive accomplishments before he makes an inevitable Presidential run in, like, 12 years?

I'm guessing the first.

[Sestak]

Final vote 29-71 on Rubio-Lee

Now commencing 1 minute each debate on Menendez motion to commit.

[Sestak]

Final vote 29-71 on Rubio-Lee

Now commencing 1 minute each debate on Menendez motion to commit.

Menendez is arguing for restoration of SALT deduction.

[Sestak]

Final vote 29-71 on Rubio-Lee

Now commencing 1 minute each debate on Menendez motion to commit.

Menendez is arguing for restoration of SALT deduction.

Wait, the NJ Chamber of Commerce opposed this bill? Is that true?

[Sestak]

Fun Side Effect of Rubio-Lee not being supported by Democrats: Heller flipped to yes at the end of the vote. Gets perhaps some slight ammo for reelection.

If Democrats had supported, he may not have been able to do that.

[Sestak]

Why the f**k didn't Democrats vote for this? It's not like the bill won't still pass anyway.

EXACTLY!

[Sestak]

46-50 on commitment. Party lines.

[Sestak]

Mike Pence on way to Chamber.

Now THAT is interesting. Does this mean he'll be needed for something or is he just there for emergencies?

[Sestak]

The motion by Sen. Menendez to send the bill back to committee has failed 48-52. Now can we quit it with the motions and do actual amendments?

No, keep the motions going until folks start collapsing on the Senate floor in exhaustion!

I mean, I do wonder: Is it possible to effectively filibuster by introducing like thousands of amendments or motions to commit?

[Sestak]

Also, why are they holding this vote open??

[Sestak]

The motion by Sen. Menendez to send the bill back to committee has failed 48-52. Now can we quit it with the motions and do actual amendments?

No, keep the motions going until folks start collapsing on the Senate floor in exhaustion!

I mean, I do wonder: Is it possible to effectively filibuster by introducing like thousands of amendments or motions to commit?

Looks like I have my answer on this. According to Seung Min Kim, if they overdo it, the parliamentarian can find their actions dilatory.

[Sestak]

This vote has been open way longer than it should have been...

[Sestak]

This vote has been open way longer than it should have been...

And there it is. Motion to commit fails 48-52.

[Sestak]

Next to be voted on

Cruz 1852 on 529s for pre-college school.
Kaine 1846 to restore AMT.
Manchin motion to commit

[Sestak]

When is the actual vote going to happen?

How many more votes until the vote?

As far as I know, they can keep going with amendments until either being ruled dilatory or running out. There are 269 amendments offered.

[Sestak]

Wait, this Cruz amendment might actually pass.

Is it going to be in the final bill? Do we know?

[Sestak]

Cruz 1852: Allows use of 529s for private K-12 Schools

44 - 44


Dem Yes votes: Manchin
GOP No votes: Collins, Murkowski

[Sestak]

Wait, this Cruz amendment might actually pass.

Is it going to be in the final bill? Do we know?

If it passes why wouldn't it be?

Because of how this process votes. After all the other amendment votes are done, McConnell offers an amendment (the 'final' or 'manager's' amendment) which wipes away any previously passed amendments and replaces them with whatever he decides is in the bill.

[Sestak]

MANCHIN FLIPS TO NO.

50 NO VOTES.

[Sestak]

Awww. Heitkamp gave a little kiss on the cheek to Manchin after he switched his vote to no on the Cruz-529 amendment. It fails.

Can't Pence break the tie??