Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), a key holdout on the Republican tax bill, says a proposal to establish a trigger pulling back tax cuts in case economic projects fall short hasn’t been resolved.



The lack of an agreement puts the votes of Corker and at least two other deficit hawks, Sens. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (R-Ariz.) and James Lankford James Paul LankfordMcConnell works to lock down GOP votes for coronavirus bill Charities scramble to plug revenue holes during pandemic Warren calls for Postal Service board members to fire DeJoy or resign MORE (R-Okla.), in jeopardy.

Asked if there was agreement on the trigger, Corker replied, “no.”

“An offer has been made and we’re dealing with it and other issues,” Corker said.

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The proposal under discussion would rollback tax relief and raise about $350 billion over 10 years in case the GOP’s $1.5 trillion tax bill fails to spur as much economic growth as projected.

Corker declined to say how specifically the proposed trigger would raise revenues.

“It’s a basket of issues,” he said.

Senate Republican negotiators are looking at a trigger that would roll back tax relief instead of cutting spending, in part because of procedural rules that limit what can be in the bill.

"It would have to be tax to be germane," said Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who is working with Corker to implement the safeguard.

An array of conservative groups, such as Club for Growth and Americans for Tax Reform, have come out strongly against the idea of a trigger.

They say it would create uncertainty in the private sector over the permanence of tax relief.