#CorkerKickback Turns Up The Flame Under Senator For His Tax Vote Switch
Bob Corker says he had no idea the perk was in the bill because “I never saw the actual text” before supporting it.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was still scrambling to do damage control Monday after it was revealed that he switched his vote on the GOP tax bill to yes soon after a tax deduction was added that could benefit his real estate investments.
Asked on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday about the late addition to the tax bill, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said it was meant to “cobble together votes” to pass the Republican measure. Corker was the only GOP senator remaining Friday who had declared his opposition to the bill. But by the end of the day, after the new deduction became part of the final bill, he issued a surprise statement announcing that he was backing the tax bill because it was an “opportunity” for business. Voting on the bill is expected to begin Tuesday.
Corker had long been opposed to the tax bill because of projections it would add an estimated $1 trillion to the federal budget deficits over 10 years. It’s possible that the latest version of the bill (with the government getting even less money with the new deduction) could mean even worse news for the nation’s debt. Corker’s switch was “so troubling” because nothing about his concerns about the deficit were addressed, tweeted Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.).
Corker is now being lambasted with the trending hashtag #CorkerKickback. The International Business Times has reported that Corker, other GOP leaders and Donald Trump and his family stand to pocket millions of dollars in reduced taxes under the new provision.
More: #CorkerKickback Turns Up The Flame Under Senator For His Tax Vote Switch
There seems to be no honor in the House or Senate. Corker can't even be honorable on his way out the door.
Bob Corker says he had no idea the perk was in the bill because “I never saw the actual text” before supporting it.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was still scrambling to do damage control Monday after it was revealed that he switched his vote on the GOP tax bill to yes soon after a tax deduction was added that could benefit his real estate investments.
Asked on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday about the late addition to the tax bill, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said it was meant to “cobble together votes” to pass the Republican measure. Corker was the only GOP senator remaining Friday who had declared his opposition to the bill. But by the end of the day, after the new deduction became part of the final bill, he issued a surprise statement announcing that he was backing the tax bill because it was an “opportunity” for business. Voting on the bill is expected to begin Tuesday.
Corker had long been opposed to the tax bill because of projections it would add an estimated $1 trillion to the federal budget deficits over 10 years. It’s possible that the latest version of the bill (with the government getting even less money with the new deduction) could mean even worse news for the nation’s debt. Corker’s switch was “so troubling” because nothing about his concerns about the deficit were addressed, tweeted Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.).
Corker is now being lambasted with the trending hashtag #CorkerKickback. The International Business Times has reported that Corker, other GOP leaders and Donald Trump and his family stand to pocket millions of dollars in reduced taxes under the new provision.
More: #CorkerKickback Turns Up The Flame Under Senator For His Tax Vote Switch
There seems to be no honor in the House or Senate. Corker can't even be honorable on his way out the door.
