Marco Rubio might be one last hurdle left for GOP tax bill vote

Republican Senator Marco Rubio is facing a choice of whether his vote will match his tweets and become a roadblock to major tax legislation that his party leaders are rushing toward a final vote.

Rubio was ignored by his fellow Republicans during a Senate vote earlier this month when he pleaded with them to raise the corporate tax rate in the tax overhaul legislation so that a child tax credit could be expanded.

Now negotiators working on the final tax legislation are planning set the corporate rate about where Rubio proposed. But instead of an expanded child tax credit, the conference plan lowers the top individual rate—which hits the highest earning Americans—more than the original House or Senate bills.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
Marco Rubio Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

A “20.94% Corp. rate to pay for tax cut for working family making $40k was anti-growth but 21% to cut tax for couples making $1 million is fine?” Rubio tweeted on Tuesday.

If past is prologue—Rubio ended up voting for the Senate bill without the expanded credit—he would take this latest defeat and keep voting yes. Unless he decides to use his leverage and threaten to tank the GOP’s top priority. If Rubio and one other Republican were to join with Bob Corker, who opposed the Senate version because it would expand deficits, they could force the conference back to the drawing board.

Republicans were meeting Wednesday behind closed doors to discuss the emerging deal. It’s not yet clear how Rubio will vote.

Bloomberg News
Tax reform Trump tax plan Tax credits Corporate taxes Tax rates
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