Graham warns Paul: Don’t screw up tax reform

by Josh Delk - 10/17/17 3:00 PM ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) warned Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Tuesday not to “screw up” the GOP effort to pass tax reform.

“Getting more bad info,” Graham tweeted at Paul. “Don’t screw up #TaxReform now. You already saved #Obamacare by trashing #GrahamCassidy-Heller-Johnson,” he added, referencing Paul’s vote against a bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Getting more bad info @RandPaul.

Don’t screw up #TaxReform now.

You already saved #Obamacare by trashing #GrahamCassidy-Heller-Johnson. https://t.co/QEJWuvUn2z

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 17, 2017

It was the latest salvo between the two senators as Republicans move ahead on plans for a massive tax overhaul.

{mosads}

On Tuesday, the Senate voted to start debate on their fiscal 2018 budget, which will also open the door to tax reform. With a 52-seat majority, Republicans had little margin for error.

Paul is seen as the most likely “no” vote on the budget but still voted to open debate. He has been tight-lipped, though, on his final vote later this week on the budget.

Paul is worried about higher spending levels.

Earlier Tuesday, he blasted Graham and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), both defense hawks. Paul claimed they were “torpedoing the budget by insisting on busting the budget caps for more spending.”

Senators McCain and Graham are torpedoing the budget by insisting on busting the budget caps for more spending.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 17, 2017

“I have told the White House and GOP leaders that if they simply stick to their own caps, the rest of the Budget is fine and I’ll vote yes,” Paul added. “It is a simple, but important, change they could easily make. The ball is in their court.”

I have told the White House and GOP leaders that if they simply stick to their own caps, the rest of the Budget is fine and I’ll vote yes.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 17, 2017