Democrats Pin What On GOP
Washington, D.C. – Tempers flared on Capitol Hill Sunday as Senate Democrats accused Republicans of using procedural tactics to make President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent — a move that could deliver historic financial relief to American families and retirees.
Democrats Claim GOP Is “Going Nuclear” to Help Trump Voters
Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), lashed out after Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) used a “current policy” budget method that prevents the tax cut extension from being labeled as deficit-increasing.
“This is the nuclear option. It’s just hidden behind a whole lot of D.C. lingo,” Wyden complained on the Senate floor.
But Republicans fired back, pointing to prior Democrat use of the same method — including under Obama’s own budget office in 2012.
What’s Really Going On? A Battle Over Scoring Rules
Under current law, the 2017 Trump tax cuts will expire at the end of 2025 — triggering tax hikes for millions of Americans, especially seniors, small business owners, and working families.
Democrats want the bill evaluated under that “current law” baseline, which would label the cuts as a massive new cost.
Republicans argue for the “current policy” baseline, which reflects reality — that these tax cuts are already in place and expected by households and markets alike.
🔍 Why It Matters:
If scored as budget-neutral, the bill qualifies under the Senate’s Byrd Rule, letting Republicans pass it with a simple 51-vote majority — no Democrat support needed.
If Democrats win this fight, Republicans would have to rewrite the bill or slash spending just to keep Trump’s tax cuts alive.
Conservatives Fire Back with Common Sense
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) reminded Democrats that even Obama’s team viewed the Bush tax cuts as part of the existing policy framework — not as new spending.
Sen. Graham noted Democrats used this exact same strategy to pass legislation in the past, including a farm bill under then-Budget Chair Kent Conrad (D-N.D.).
Democrat Hypocrisy on Full Display
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and others bombarded first-term GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) — the Senate’s presiding officer — with a barrage of procedural questions aimed at tripping up the bill.
Moreno calmly responded that most sections of the bill used the “current law” baseline, but the Finance Committee portion — the heart of the tax cut — used a blend of both.
That sent Democrats into full panic mode.
“They’re ignoring precedent, process, and the parliamentarian,” Murray fumed — even though Republicans are simply following the path Democrats once paved.
🎯 What’s at Stake for Everyday Americans
If the GOP wins this procedural fight, millions of Americans — especially seniors and middle-income earners — will keep more of their hard-earned money.
But if Democrats get their way, tax hikes are coming in 2026, and the Trump tax cuts that boosted retirement savings, homeownership, and job growth could disappear.
