Congress Is Bracing For A “Nightmare” December

Monday, November 27, 2017
By Paul Martin

by Tyler Durden
ZeroHedge.com
Nov 27, 2017

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the GOP Congressional leadership has repeatedly failed to corral the votes needed to transform the president’s legislative agenda into law, largely thanks to the Republicans’ razor-thin majority in the senate, which has bred factionalism and encouraged senators to play hardball to try and strong-arm the leadership into concessions.

This gridlock has persisted all year. But with roughly 15 legislative sessions left between the House and the Senate, lawmakers are facing a seemingly insurmountable list of legislative priorities. Though the legislative battles could push their deadline closer to Christmas.

In any case, the pressure is on for the GOP’s Congressional leadership to deliver, or suffer an embarassing black eye that could hurt their chances in next year’s midterm election.

The fundamental question now is: Will this force intransigent lawmakers to drop their opposition to key issues like tax reform and passing another short-term spending resolution (or even an omnibus spending bill)? Or will this end in yet another embarrassing legislative defeat?

Concerning Republicans’ top priority – tax reform – Republican lawmakers told Bloomberg they are still committed to finalizing the bill by Christmas as Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina noted “I hope we can get it done by Christmas…if not, we’ll be here through Christmas, looking at the end of the year”.

To have a realistic chance of adhering to Republicans’ self-imposed deadline, the senate will need to pass its version of the bill by the end of the week.

Unfortunately for Republicans, it won’t be that easy. And the likelihood that members of Congress will be able to spend the holidays at home with their families is looking increasingly remote.

Though at least one senator believes the looming deadlines could force the holdouts to surrender.

The Rest…HERE

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