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Manchin among those Democrats considering GOP tax reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is one of the Democrats in Washington who might be on board with the GOP tax reform package if there are some adjustments made. Manchin added, in an appearance on MetroNews Talkline Wednesday, he’s not the only one.

“I’ve got Democrats I know that will vote for a 25 percent rate and territorial,” said Manchin., “For 25 percent, we have 15 plus (Democrats) who would support that.”

Manchin was part of a meeting at the Library of Congress this week with White House officials talking about the package. President Donald Trump called Manchin and 11 other Democratic lawmakers Tuesday in an attempt to lure them to support the measure.

Manchin is inclined to lower the top corporate tax rate–but not to the level of the House of Representatives bill or the level the Trump administration wants.

“I’ve been open with the President and everybody else 25 percent is ten points lower than where we are, it makes us very competitive on a global basis, and we still have the greatest economy in the world,” Manchin explained. “They want to go clear to 20. Every one percent is $100 Billion we know we’re not going to receive.”

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Supporters of the lower rate believe lowering the rate will stimulate investment and spending and result in a jump in economic growth.  Should that happen, supporters theorize it would offset and exceed any losses from the tax cuts and replace them with new revenue.

Manchin, while not outright disagreeing, says that’s called “dynamic growth.”  He argued the federal budget has never been crafted on dynamic growth numbers, adding there is a risk in betting the economy will grow three to four percent with the tax cuts to replace what’s been cut. If it doesn’t’ happen, it will add to the federal deficit.

“There’s got to be a way to go forward and everybody wins,” Manchin explained. “If there’s going to be a risk of more debt, who should get the benefit of that risk? What category people would get the benefit? Those who worked every day and got no appreciable wage increases for the last two decades or those who have benefited the most in the last two decades?”

Manchin indicated a willingness to compromise and support the lower rate–and risk additional debt if he was assured the benefit for the risk would fall to the average wage earner and not the ultra wealthy.

Senate Republicans are expected to unveil its tax overhaul bill on Thursday





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