By hook or by crook

Senate Republicans led by South Carolina's Lindsey Graham are reportedly set to bypass the Senate parliamentarian and her expected ruling this week on whether they can use a legislative process – known as budget reconciliation – to pass President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.

The process can be used only if such an initiative doesn't increase the federal deficit. Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has yet to decide, so the GOP is forging ahead, in an apparent effort not to appear to be overruling her.

[...]

[Senate Republican leader John Thune] argued Graham has the authority to decide whether extending the tax cuts would add to the deficit and need for them to be offset by big spending cuts or revenue-raising proposals.

[...]

If extending the 2017 cuts is found to be an extension of current policy, then they won’t be counted as officially adding to future deficits, which would allow Republicans to extend the tax cuts permanently.

[...]

"Republicans are so hell-bent on giving these tax breaks to the billionaires that they’re willing to break any rules, norms and things they promised they wouldn’t do,” Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer said.

  Just the News

And water is wet.