Vote-a-rama: A Crucial Moment for the Megabill
Introduction
The Senate is currently in the middle of a marathon session known as "vote-a-rama," the last hurdle before the approval of the megabill. This is a crucial moment for the Trump administration, as they hope to push their tax bill through to passage despite divisions within the Republican party.
Background
The controversial "current policy baseline" accounting tactic is the first item up for vote during the vote-a-rama. This tactic has been a point of contention between Republicans and Democrats, with the former arguing that it is necessary to accurately portray the effects of the tax bill on the national debt, while the latter claims it is a misleading tactic used to make the bill appear more favorable. This vote will set the tone for the rest of the vote-a-rama and could potentially make or break the success of the megabill.
Current Scenario
Despite the running tensions between Republicans and Democrats, the House of Representatives is determined to push the tax bill through this week. President Trump himself has been actively trying to shore up support for the bill, hoping to have it on his desk by the Fourth of July. The urgency to pass this bill is evident in the fact that it would add $3.3 trillion in new debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office's projections. This is substantially more than the House-passed version, causing concern among both parties.
The Senate Republicans are aiming to vote on the bill on Monday, with their sights set on passing it before the holiday recess. However, with the CBO projections showing a significant increase in the national debt, this could prove to be a difficult task. The Washington Post reports that the legislation would cause the national debt to soar even more than previous estimates, further adding to the already existing divisions within the Republican party.
Conclusion
The vote-a-rama is a crucial moment for the megabill, and the outcome of the Senate vote will have a significant impact on the future of the Trump administration's agenda. With the controversial "current policy baseline" tactic at the forefront, tensions are high and the success of the bill is uncertain. As we await the results of the vote, all eyes are on the Senate and the future of the megabill hangs in the balance.
