GOP/POLITICAL FIGURES/POLITICS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “A public feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and Senate Republican maverick Bob Corker could narrow the path for tax reform in the U.S. Senate, where a Republican go-it-alone effort is already showing signs of disunity.
Days after the Republican-controlled Congress took two important steps toward advancing tax legislation, a Trump-Corker shouting match threatened to further alienate Trump from key Republican senators such as John McCain, who prevented the party earlier this year from repealing Obamacare.
The political stakes could not be higher for Republicans. Tax reform offers them a chance to show they can govern and woo voters for the November 2018 midterm elections. Failure could mean losing control of the House of Representatives.
Trump and top Republicans have unveiled a plan to slash taxes for businesses and individuals, the first comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. tax code since 1986. They hope to complete the monumental task by January.
Tax legislation could move quickly once the House and Senate agree on a fiscal year 2018 budget resolution, according to analysts who expect the Senate to vote on a measure next week and say the House could approve it soon thereafter.
The Republican plan calls for the House to vote on tax reform this month, House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a recent television interview.”
-David Morgan, “Trump-Corker spat complicates drive for tax reform in U.S. Senate,” Reuters, Oct. 9, 2017 11:51am