The Note: Republicans, Trump's 'Christmas gift' tax plan could affect 2018 elections
Congress will vote on the Republican tax bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
— -- The TAKE with Rick Klein
On this, both parties can agree: The tax bill is set to remake the political landscape ahead of 2018.
In what direction, and with what consequences, remains an item of fierce contention as the House and Senate move to final votes.
A legislative victory – and the bill does seem certain to pass - will be celebrated by the Republican donor base. It will surely be championed by President Donald Trump with heretofore unexplored superlatives.
But in another version of the future, an unpopular and imbalanced legislative behemoth emerges, defined by a series of favors for the well-connected. In that world, a swamp-inspired monster may neither help the economy nor the average taxpayer enough to change perceptions of the bill.
Trump likes going big, and this bill is that. It’s fair to assess that the votes that are about to be held will be remembered in big ways, and for a long time.
The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks
In the last few weeks, advocates have come from far and wide to Capitol Hill, not only to speak out against the tax bill, which has taken center stage, but to lobby for long-term funding for government programs as well.
Two executives from Montana Trout Unlimited, for example, worked senators last week, urging them to fully fund Environmental Protection Agency programs they rely on to preserve watersheds and fisheries.
It is programs like these -- from conservation to parks to children’s health care and education -- that hang in the balance as the clock ticks towards a possible government shutdown looming in just four days.
Once again, Congress has brought it down to the wire.
While lawmakers, especially Republicans, sound confident they will be home for the holidays with a fully funded federal government, the now routine brinkmanship has clearly taken a toll on agencies and local governments that rely on federal-funding to do their work and plan for the new year.
It is noteworthy, too, that in the final days of spending negotiations Republicans from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to President Trump are advocating for an increase in at least one bucket of government spending: military and defense.
The TIP with John Parkinson
Not to be outdone by House Speaker Paul Ryan, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, picks up where her husband left off – continuing a Dingell holiday tradition with the release of the 2017 edition of the Dingell jingle, set to the tune of “Winter Wonderland.
- House phones ring
- Are you listening
- Folks are mad
- But Ryan’s insisting
- Another tax fight!
- No funding bill in sight
- Walking in a winter blunderland
- Gone away is Obama
- Here to stay is constant drama
- We try to stay strong
- As Trump tweets along
- Walking in a winter blunderland
Read the rest of the jingle here: http://bit.ly/2kKKDMa
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I had hoped my two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two worst minutes on television." --Matthew Petersen, President Trump’s choice for U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in a letter withdrawing his nomination.
NEED TO READ
The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the key political moments of the day ahead. Please check back tomorrow for the latest.
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