McCain committed to ‘bipartisan approach’ on tax reform

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is calling for a bipartisan approach to tax reform.

“We need to do it in a bipartisan fashion,” McCain said, according to Bloomberg. “I am committed, as I’ve said before, to a bipartisan approach, such as we’ve been doing in the Armed Services Committee for the last 53 years.” 

McCain made similar remarks during the Republican push to repeal ObamaCare.

After voting in July to allow Republicans to move forward on a bill that would repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, McCain delivered a speech in which he called for a “return to regular order” and more bipartisanship.

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Days later, he bucked his party when he voted against a “skinny” repeal measure, arguing that the bill was rushed and lacked bipartisan support. 

McCain similarly opposed the GOP’s latest repeal bill, saying Friday he could not vote for the measure authored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

That bill effectively died on Tuesday after it became clear it did not have enough votes to pass. 

Now, as many Republicans turn their sights to tax reform, GOP leaders are hoping to use the same fast-track process they tried to use on health care. That procedure requires only 51 votes in the Senate, as opposed to a filibuster-proof 60, allowing Republicans the opportunity to pass tax legislation without any Democratic support.

President Trump is set to unveil the framework of a tax proposal developed by administration officials and Republican congressional leaders.

Democrats, however, are unlikely to support the plan, which reportedly calls for lowering the top individual tax rate.