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Tax Overhaul Scores Key Victory in Senate

Budget panel passes it, moving it on to full chamber

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell talks with the media on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

(NEWSER) – The Senate Budget Committee has advanced a sweeping tax package to the full Senate, handing GOP leaders a victory as they try to pass the nation's first tax overhaul in 31 years. The committee voted 12 to 11 to advance the bill. Two committee Republicans had said they were considering voting against the measure, but after President Trump personally lobbied Republican senators at the Capitol Tuesday, the committee passed the bill with little fanfare other than a few protesters who tried to disrupt the committee meeting, per the AP.

GOP leaders hope to have the full Senate take up the bill later this week, though Politicoreports that they were still scrambling to appease critics within their own ranks. The tax package blends a sharp reduction in top corporate and business tax rates with more modest relief for individuals. White House press chief Sarah Huckabee said Trump applauds the committee for "taking an important step toward passing historic tax relief and reform and clearing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act this afternoon." She added that the president "looks forward to providing tax cuts for hardworking Americans by the end of the year."