GOP Senators Amending Tax Reform Bill With Obamacare Mandate Repeal

I don't want to give away the fun bit, but check out John Thune's explanation as to why it's fair to include this repeal in the tax reform bill.

Today I am announcing my intention to amend the Senate tax bill to repeal the individual mandate and provide bigger tax cuts for middle income taxpayers.



The mandate repeal is a promise we all made and we should keep. It also allows an additional $300 billion+ in tax cuts. — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 14, 2017



Dems object that Rs are inserting health care into the tax bill with individual mandate repeal.



"My understanding is the individual mandate is a tax," Thune responds, referencing SCOTUS decision — Joseph Lawler (@josephlawler) November 14, 2017





I think I remember a few people here making that argument.

Update: Mitch McConnell is on board.

"We're optimistic that inserting the individual mandate repeal would be helpful and that's obviously the view of the Senate Finance Committee Republicans as well," McConnell told reporters.