As the Republican healthcare repeal effort reminded us, Senate Republicans cannot afford to lose many votes even on a 50-vote threshold. That means that every possible waverer or objection-holder matters as the final version of the Senate plan draws nearer, with all its attacks on health care and teachers and graduate students and the colossally bad politics and policy of giving corporations a permanent tax cut while only giving working families (and not all of them) a temporary one. So what’s up with that?
Axios takes a look at some Senate Republican question marks, and while parts of the piece are hilarious speculation—like the idea that Sens. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker are “deficit hawks” who are now “free to vote their conscience” because they’re retiring—parts are informative.
Sen. Jerry Moran: He's currently undecided on whether he supports the tax components of the bill. "I would say the individual tax changes should be treated similarly to corporate tax changes as far as their permanency." He said it's also bad optics.
The problem for Moran—and other Republicans with concerns about the temporary individual cuts—is that the individual tax changes have to sunset or Republicans can’t pass the bill with 50 votes, because otherwise it will contribute to the deficit after 10 years.
By adding repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate into the bill, Republicans risk the votes of their members who previously voted against healthcare repeal. Sen. John McCain just wants to see regular order. Sen. Susan Collins thinks that repealing the individual mandate “is a political mistake as well because it complicates tax reform, and it means that no Democrat's going to vote for the bill—or it makes it much less likely." And Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is just plain worried—but notably, none of these Republicans are currently threatening a no vote. One Republican who is threatening to vote no is Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson, but … he’s just trying to get attention and no one really believes he won't vote for the bill.
The problem is, as many Republicans as have concerns about the bill, they’re Republicans. Chances are they’ll fall in line, at least unless they face major pressure from voters.
You know what that means. Call your senators and representatives now at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to vote no on this giveaway to corporations and the wealthy at the expense of working families.