Republicans are kicking around the idea of rehashing the tax cuts law they finished last year, seeing if they could get something out of this cycle by making the individual tax cuts (such as they are) permanent. Some of them seem to be a little embarrassed that they made the corporate tax cuts permanent, while the individual cuts sunset after a few years. But that's not enough for many of them to open up that particular can of worms again.
"I'd say, 'Hell no. Hell no — double hell no,'" retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a leading budget hawk, told The Hill when asked about making the individual tax breaks permanent. Corker supported the bill, but last week—citing the deficit — said it could "be one of the worst votes I've made."
Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), who has also raised alarm about the growing debt, said he has "concerns" about making the individual tax breaks permanent. He added his first reaction is to support a long-term tax cut for individuals but cautioned it needs to be examined more closely. He wants to see whether granting permanent tax breaks for individuals would stimulate the economy as much as the permanent corporate tax cut.
"We know on the corporate side those things are stimulative," Perdue said.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who wavered before backing the 2017 tax package, said he's undecided about voting for another round of cuts.
"I'm going to have to look at it," said Flake, who is not seeking reelection.
Not that Corker and Flake are particularly good at sticking to their tough talk. But they probably won't be put to the test because it's unlikely to get as far as the floor for a vote. This time around it would be subject to a filibuster by Democrats. That would make it much harder to pass, and make it much harder for leadership to force Republicans to come to heel this time.
That's because of the whopping $1.9 trillion price tag the CBO came up with for the first bill. Adding to that is just too much for some deficit peacocks, and it's looking more and more like it's a fight McConnell is not going to want to have.