• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive

3

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive

3

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

Will Tax Reform Pass? These 7 Senators Will Decide

By
John Patrick Pullen
John Patrick Pullen
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Patrick Pullen
John Patrick Pullen
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 30, 2017, 7:15 PM ET

Several Republican senators have concerns over the GOP’s tax bill, so many that people are wondering ‘Will tax reform pass?’ Though the party sorely needs a legislative win in 2017, Donald Trump’s first year as president, pressure from the White House is not enough to guarantee victory.

However, with Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) saying he will back the GOP tax bill, the party has taken one step closer to passing the signature piece of legislation that will effect everything from corporate and individual taxes to entitlements and health care, as well as everyone in America.

So, what’s the hold up? These seven senators, to start. With so many moving pieces in this bill (and its amendments) everyone wants to make sure their concerns are addressed. Here’s where the holdouts currently stand:

Susan Collins (R-Maine)

One of the three senators who stymied changes to the nation’s healthcare system, Collins is making her tax reform decision contingent on restoring deductions for state and local taxes (SALT). Republicans’ removal of SALT taxes as a deductible rankled homeowners nationwide, especially in areas where property values are high, like urban areas and coastal states. The House bill allows for SALT deductions up to $10,000, but the Senate bill currently does not. Collins has penned an amendment, and it will likely be included in the Tax Reform’s upcoming vote-a-rama.

Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)

Described as one of the “deficit hawks” holding the bill back, Corker has called the federal debt “the greatest threat to our nation.” With the GOP tax reform’s proposed reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%, the deficit would increase by around $1.4 trillion over the next decade. Tax reform proponents say the money saved by companies will go back into jobs and increased salaries, negating any increase in the debt. But Corker remains unconvinced. He’s asking for a tax rate “trigger” that would increase corporate rates if the growth never materializes. It’s not yet clear if the undecided, retiring senator has gotten his wish.

Steve Daines (R-Mont.)

In the past couple of days, Daines has been in and out on voting for the Republican tax plan. A few days ago, Daines said he was a “no,” but on Wednesday he became a “yes,” at least procedurally:

[1/2] There has been some good progress for Main Street businesses in the tax cut bill. I was able to secure more than 60 billion in tax cuts for Main Street businesses. These Main Street businesses will be able to provide more jobs and higher wages in Montana and across the

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) November 29, 2017

[2/2] country. I've seen enough progress to vote yes to move the debate forward.

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) November 29, 2017

Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)

Another retiring senator, Flake has nothing to lose by bucking his party, which he has been doing a lot recently. Another deficit hawk, Flake has said he likes the plan because it “would give tax relief in every bracket,” but like Corker, James Lankford, and Jerry Moran, he’s doubtful that the economic growth would follow.

There is also the matter of Flake’s ongoing feud with with President Trump. Trump treats Flake like a piñata on Twitter, and if you think that hasn’t stuck in the Arizona senator’s craw, just wait and see.

Sen. Jeff Flake(y), who is unelectable in the Great State of Arizona (quit race, anemic polls) was caught (purposely) on “mike” saying bad things about your favorite President. He’ll be a NO on tax cuts because his political career anyway is “toast.”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017

Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)

Johnson said two weeks ago he would oppose the Senate tax plan, but in Washington time, a fortnight can feel as far away as the Ice Age. But Johnson seems to have warmed to the plan, his disposition improving as small business deductions on pass-through taxes have increased to 20%. This is a big issue for people who run LLCs and S-Corps and have to claim business profits on their personal finances.

James Lankford, (R-Okla.)

Another deficit hawk, Lankford has been pushing hard for a performance trigger, or what he calls “backstops” and appears to have gotten what he’s asked for—at least in some version of the bill that will be floated on the floor.

“Yes, I am on board with this bill. Because I want to see the good economic growth that is coming with it, but also because I want to protect future tax payers as well,” @SenatorLankford says pic.twitter.com/RrFHj5BMRg

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 29, 2017

Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)

Perhaps the key vote in the GOP’s tax reform effort is a man who’s been there before: Sen. Jerry Moran. That’s because the Republican bill has been compared to a 2012 bill by his state’s lawmakers to enact much of what the Republicans are proposing nationwide in 2017. And it didn’t work, reports the New York Times.

“I’m also cognizant of what people saw happen in Kansas.” Moran recently told voters in Clay Center, Kan. “There is plenty of conversation about Kansas in Washington, D.C.” His state’s voters are begging him to vote against the bill, reports The Kansas City Star. Also, concerned with the deficit, as is Corker, Flake, and Lankford, he’s certainly not a yes, yet.

I look forward to continuing the tax debate in an open & transparent fashion. I am still discussing ways to improve this bill before final passage & expect to support a bill that grows the economy, protects taxpayers, creates jobs & helps Americans keep more of their money. (2/2)

— Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) November 29, 2017

About the Author
By John Patrick Pullen
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Oil drops as U.S. says deal with Iran and Hormuz reopening is near
EnergyOil
Oil drops as U.S. says deal with Iran and Hormuz reopening is near
By Nicholas Lua and BloombergMay 24, 2026
5 hours ago
Russia’s economy is much worse than it seems, and ‘elites are increasingly alarmed’ as alternate GDP gauge shows huge contraction
EconomyRussia
Russia’s economy is much worse than it seems, and ‘elites are increasingly alarmed’ as alternate GDP gauge shows huge contraction
By Jason MaMay 24, 2026
5 hours ago
Alaska’s oil revival sparks a new energy rush Into the Arctic
EnergyOil
Alaska’s oil revival sparks a new energy rush Into the Arctic
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy and BloombergMay 24, 2026
7 hours ago
Trump says ‘don’t listen to the losers’ after fellow Republicans warn he’s about to make a disastrous mistake with Iran ceasefire deal
PoliticsIran
Trump says ‘don’t listen to the losers’ after fellow Republicans warn he’s about to make a disastrous mistake with Iran ceasefire deal
By Darlene Superville, Matthew Daly and The Associated PressMay 24, 2026
8 hours ago
SpaceX stock is about to join this growing constellation of public companies building a space-based economy
Investingspace
SpaceX stock is about to join this growing constellation of public companies building a space-based economy
By Jason MaMay 24, 2026
8 hours ago
The more generous U.S. ceasefire terms are, the more suspicious Iran becomes they’re a ruse for another attack, expert says
PoliticsIran
The more generous U.S. ceasefire terms are, the more suspicious Iran becomes they’re a ruse for another attack, expert says
By Jason MaMay 24, 2026
11 hours ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
4 days ago
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
Lifestyle
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
By Sasha RogelbergMay 24, 2026
16 hours ago
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
Success
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
3 days ago
Inside the 'stealth wealth' playbook: How Silicon Valley's elite buy multimillion-dollar mansions without leaving a paper trail
Real Estate
Inside the 'stealth wealth' playbook: How Silicon Valley's elite buy multimillion-dollar mansions without leaving a paper trail
By Sydney LakeMay 24, 2026
17 hours ago
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
Success
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
3 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
5 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.