Tax Policy Center

senate finance committee

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

How Will Congress Fund Roads and Transit?

In 24 days, federal spending authority under the highway trust fund comes to an end. Without legislation to keep the program going and money to finance it, road projects will slow in the midst of high construction season. And where are Congress and the White House on this perennial issue? Nowhere.
July 7, 2015Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

What To Make of the Senate Finance Committee’s Tax Reform Workgroups

The Senate Finance Committee has created five bipartisan working groups to develop ideas for comprehensive tax reform by the end of May. It is a good idea. But it is unlikely to accelerate the panel’s timetable for producing legislation. The task forces won't develop many new ideas. Let’s be honest
January 15, 2015Howard Gleckman
: TaxVox

They Saved the Must-Pass for Last

Congress has adjourned. The Daily Deduction will post on Mondays until the 114th Congress convenes. Expired tax breaks: Renewed for 2014. Last night the Senate passed a $42 billion package of expired tax breaks by a vote of 76-16 . In two weeks' time, the tax breaks will expire. Again. Senate
December 17, 2014Renu Zaretsky
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Is It Time To End The Highway Trust Fund Fiction?

Congress is in the midst of another Perils of Pauline political showdown: This time the drama is over how to finance the highway trust fund, which will be unable to pay its bills in a couple of weeks. House Republicans have cooked up one set of gimmicks to keep the money flowing for a few months.
July 10, 2014Howard Gleckman
: TaxVox

Tax Changes for Highways, Delays and Missing Links

The Senate Finance Committee takes their turn as “The Highway Men.” They’ll consider tax changes for more highway funds tomorrow with Chairman Ron Wyden's bill to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through the end of the year. The plan would raise $9 billion in tax revenue over ten years. Tax code
June 25, 2014Renu Zaretsky
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

The Tax Extenders: Yes, Virginia, They Really Are Tax Cuts

The other day, the House Ways & Means Committee voted to cut taxes for certain businesses by $310 billion. Washington, being Washington, is now in the midst of a partisan debate over whether this is in fact a tax cut or, conversely, whether failing to cut those business levies would be a tax
May 1, 2014Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Incoming Senate Finance Chair Wyden Outlines His Tax Agenda

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), about to become the new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Friday that he aims to eventually rewrite what he...
February 10, 2014Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

The Year in Taxes: From the Fiscal Cliff to Tax Reform Talks

The year in taxes started with the nation toppling, briefly, over the fiscal cliff. And it ended with some interesting policy proposals on tax reform...
December 12, 2013William G. Gale
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Baucus Proposes International Tax Reform But Future Action Remains Uncertain

In an effort to jumpstart moribund tax reform efforts, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) is suggesting major changes in the way U.S.-based multinational...
November 19, 2013Howard Gleckman
Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The Baucus-Hatch “Blank Slate” Approach to Tax Reform Could Be Revolutionary

No one quite knows what exactly Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) mean when they say they will...
July 3, 2013C. Eugene Steuerle