GOP Tax Overhaul Bill Headed To Senate Floor

19:00

November 28, 2017

President Donald Trump leaves Capitol Hill after meeting with lawmakers on tax policy, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Washington. Trump urged House Republicans Thursday to approve a near $1.5 trillion tax overhaul as the party prepared to drive the measure through the House. Across the Capitol, Democrats pointed to new numbers showing the Senate version of the plan would boost taxes on lower and middle-income Americans. (Evan Vucci/AP)

The Senate Budget Committee voted 12-11, a party-line vote, on Tuesday to send the Republican Senate tax bill to the floor. A full Senate vote could take place as early as Thursday.

But is every Republican senator on board?

"It's a challenging exercise," says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Think of sitting there with a Rubik's cube, trying to get to 50."

Earlier on Tuesday, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi backed out of a meeting with President Trump after he tweeted:

"The president said 'I don't see a deal,' " said Schumer. "Three hours before our meeting, before he heard anything we had to say. Given that the president doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, Leader Pelosi and I believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead."

Meanwhile at the White House, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Democrats to "stop political grandstanding, show up and get to work."

Guest

Richard Neal, congressman representing the 1st district of Massachusetts. He tweets @reprichardneal.

Matt Viser, deputy Washington bureau chief for the Boston Globe. He tweets @mviser.

This segment aired on November 28, 2017.