After months of sitting on the sidelines and letting the House take the lead (and the punches) on tax reform, the Senate has taken the first steps toward developing its version of reform.
Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said last week he is “working to involve all the Republican members” of his committee to develop a Senate plan on tax reform.
Sen. Hatch identified roles each member of the committee would play in the high-profile reform effort. Hatch said Sens. Michael Enzi (R-Utah) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) would focus on potential changes in international taxes. Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota) would review business taxes and the estate tax. Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nevada) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) would work on energy taxes. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) would focus on individual taxes. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) is tasked with agricultural tax issues. Read more.
Hatch also said he invited Democrats on the Finance Committee to participate in developing tax legislation, but noted that Democrats had not yet been very vocal about tax reform. He did not provide a timeline for hearings or a committee drafting session for legislation.
The House of Representatives continues to discuss tax reform but hasn’t made substantial progress.
The House Republican plan has attracted a great deal of attention and criticism, especially the Border Adjustment Tax provision, a key element of the plan, and an issue Society of American Florists members discussed with lawmakers and staff last spring during SAF’s Congressional Action Days. That criticism has not only been from Democrats, but also from Republicans, including key senators.
