Senate Republicans approach moment of truth on taxes

Plus: Trump vs. Dems No Images? Click here         Senate Republicans Looking To Play ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ On Tax Cuts Senate Republicans are moving quickly toward a vote on their tax proposal this week, with GOP leaders still tweaking the bill to win over reluctant Republicans. On Monday, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) became the second GOP senator to say he would oppose the measure over provisions governing pass-through businesses. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has also said he believes the requirements for who would get a lower pass-through tax rate is too restrictive. There are a number of other senators who seem to have serious reservations about the bill, and, if every Democrat votes no, as expected, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) can lose no more than two Republicans to pass the bill (with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a tie on legislation subject to a special budget process that requires only a simple majority). But the opposition is soft, and GOP leaders have shown a willingness to make whatever change is necessary to get the bill out of their chamber. “I assume this is one of those things that you keep adjusting until it’s at the right place and you have the votes to pass it,” Senate GOP conference vice chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) told HuffPost on Monday. Blunt said the issues that Johnson and Daines have raised were worth talking about, and he assumed there was some work-around that would get them on board. Johnson and Daines are typically reliable Republican votes who likely will support the tax proposal in its final form. READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? President Donald Trump went after Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi for bailing on a meeting with him, saying he's "not surprised" by their decision. Schumer and Pelosi refused to meet with Trump after he tweeted he didn’t “see a deal” coming together. READ MORE Elizabeth Warren is rallying supporters against Trump's consumer watchdog appointment. Democrats want to turn the CFPB leadership battle into a referendum on the president’s professed populist agenda. READ MORE Another woman accused Democratic Rep. John Conyers of sexual misconduct. Deanna Maher, his former deputy chief of staff, says the veteran congressman inappropriately touched her and asked to have sex with her. READ MORE    .     ICYMI Bernie Sanders unveiled a massive Puerto Rico reconstruction bill. The Vermont senator has been an outspoken critic of U.S. policies toward the island.   Kris Kobach was hit with an ethics complaint over his side gig as a paid Breitbart columnist. An ethics watchdog group wants the Department of Justice to investigate whether Kobach used his official position to advance his paid work.   A retired miner with black lung begged the EPA to save power plant rules: “We’re dying, literally dying for you to help us.” Last month, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed eliminating the Clean Power Plan, a set of regulations that limited carbon dioxide emissions from utilities under the Clean Air Act of 1970.    . Want more?  Ivanka Trump Visits India Amid Criticism Of Clothing Line’s Labor Practices ‘Access Hollywood’ Shoots Down Trump: ‘The Tape Is Very Real Eric Trump Defends Dad’s ‘Pocahontas’ Slur, But Twitter Claps Back Hard     How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2017 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe