Daily Deduction

Deadlines, Demand, Dope and Drinks

July 31, 2017 –
A different D-Day: September 29? Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Congress Friday that it will have to increase the debt ceiling by September 29. Not only will it be the last regular workday before the end of the fiscal year, it is the day Treasury estimates the government will run out of money to pay its bills, including interest on its debt.

“A plan, a plan, my kingdom for a plan….”

July 28, 2017 –
Where will the health bill go from here? Early this morning, the GOP-controlled Senate failed once again to pass a replacement for the Affordable Care Act.

The times… are they changing?

July 27, 2017 –
“Come gather round people, wherever you roam.” Having failed to pass either Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s replacement for the Affordable Care Act or a bill to repeal the law now and replace it in two years, the Senate now moves on to Plan C—a long series of floor amendments from which McConnell will try to assemble a final bill.

A Motion to Proceed passes, but where to now?

July 26, 2017 –
“Skinny” is as “skinny” does. Yesterday, with Vice President Pence’s tie-breaking vote, the Senate agreed to debate how it would change the Affordable Care Act. But what bill, if any, will pass? Repeal now and replace later?

“Let’s call the whole thing off?”

July 25, 2017 –
“Things have come to a pretty pass…” There’ll be a vote today on… something. The Senate plans to vote on legislation to repeal or repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act today.

Perception, Politics, Reality, and Revenue

July 24, 2017 –
Scrap the ACA’s NIIT and GOP tax reform gets easier. Why? TPC’s Howard Gleckman explains the math (and the politics) behind repealing the Affordable Care Act’s 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax.

"Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again."

July 21, 2017 –
“Nothing’s impossible, I have found…” The Senate may have revived its effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act with yet another version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act.

Tax Reform To-Dos

July 20, 2017 –
Advice for tax reformers. TPC Director Mark Mazur testified before the Senate Finance Committee this week, joining three other former assistant Treasury secretaries for tax policy.

“Just what makes that little old ant…”

July 19, 2017 –
“Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant?” Senate efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (and its taxes) are dead in the water.

Bye for now, BCRA...

July 18, 2017 –
The Senate’s second effort to repeal and replace the ACA has failed.