In The Senate, Deal Making Surrounds GOP Leaders’ Efforts To Pass Tax Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is scrambling to hold 50 votes on the bill, is making promises to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) that the measure will not result in Medicare cuts and that he will advance separate legislation to stabilize the Obamacare insurance markets. But it is not clear how these assurances will play out in the House.
The Hill:
McConnell Promises Collins Tax Bill Won't Lead To Medicare Cut
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is promising the GOP tax bill, which is projected to add $1.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, will not result in cuts to Medicare next year. McConnell offered the vow to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a key swing vote, during a Wednesday meeting in his office. (Bolton, 11/30)
The Hill:
House Conservatives Won't Back Spending Bill With ObamaCare Payments
House conservatives said they won't support a short-term spending bill to fund the government if it contains provisions to "bail out" insurance companies. A deal between moderate GOP Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would likely attach two bipartisan measures to stabilize ObamaCare's insurance markets to the spending bill in exchange for her vote on tax reform. (Hellmann, 11/30)
The Wall Street Journal:
House GOP To Propose Short-Term Spending Bill
Since the short-term bill through Dec. 22 will be a must-pass piece of legislation, lawmakers are certain to try to cram other measures onto it. Most prominently, Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine) said this week that her support for the Senate GOP tax-overhaul bill—which repeals the Affordable Care Act requirement that most people have health insurance or pay a penalty—will depend on whether Congress also passes a bipartisan health-care bill aimed at offsetting any resulting increases in premiums. Ms. Collins said that bipartisan bill, from Sens. Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D., Wash.), would likely be folded into the short-term spending bill. (Peterson, 11/30)