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President Donald Trump is celebrating after the Senate Budget Committee approved the GOP tax reform bill on Tuesday. The panel passed the legislation swiftly on a 12-11 partly-line vote. The bill will head to the Senate floor for final approval. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is optimistic that the bill will pass. However, he admitted that it hard to obtain a majority vote because the GOP tax reform bill is “big” and “complicated.” During a luncheon at the Capitol Hill, Trump convinced Republican senators before the Budget Committee reconciliation hearing to pass the bill. Senators Ron Johnson and Bob Corker, who have been holding out their votes for more concessions, finally decided to support the legislation. In a statement, Sen. Corker explained why he voted yes on the tax plan. According to him, he reached an agreement in principle with the Senate leadership and the administration on a trigger mechanism to ensure greater fiscal responsibility.

Sen. Sanders said the GOP tax reform bill is “disastrous” and “unfair”

Before the panel voted on the GOP tax reform bill, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed extreme disappointment because the lack of public debate on the issue. He said the committee’s handling of one of the most important pieces of legislation was “wrong.” According to Sen. Sanders, he understands the reasons why the Budget Committee and Finance Committee have been so reluctant to hold public hearings on the tax reform legislation. Sen. Sanders said it is because the GOP tax reform legislation is “disastrous” and “unfair.” It “gives huge tax cuts breaks” to the very wealthy. He added that the bill “raises taxes on millions of middle class families” and “leaves millions of Americans without insurance.” Furthermore, he emphasized that the Republican tax plan will increase the U.S. deficit by $1.4 trillion. “What it means is leaving this burden to our kids and our grandchildren.” Moreover, Sen. Sanders said if the bill is passed, the Republican leadership will come back and say ‘we have to deal with the deficit.’ According to him, the Republicans will recommend cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and education.” During the hearing, protesters with disabilities pleaded Republicans not to pass the GOP tax plan. They shouted, “Don’t kill us. Stop attacking us. Shame! Shame! Kill the bill! The Capitol police removed the protesters out of the hearing room to restore order.

Trump celebrates Budget Committee passage of tax plan

In a statement, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the President “applauds the Senate Budget Committee” for taking the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act a step forward.