Thursday on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings With Maria,” when asked if the debt ceiling deal President Donald Trump made with Democrats will give them leverage during the tax debate causing a Republican revolt, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he is not worried about any Republican revolt.
He said he was optimistic they had “Democrats that come across the aisle and support tax reform.”
Partial transcript as follows:
BARTIROMO: I’m wondering if anything has really changed at this point after yesterday’s meeting Secretary Mnuchin? Are you worried about a GOP revolt? Are you worried at this point that come December the Democrats have all of the leverage? They may very well say we are not going to agree to cut taxes on the rich by one penny. And we all know if you don’t cut taxes on the highest earners you’re not for cutting taxes because the highest earners pay all the taxes. Isn’t that right?
MNUCHIN: I’m not worried about any GOP revolt at all. We have been meeting with them on the tax plan. We have an understanding on this tax plan. We are moving forward on this tax plan. That is something we are working with the leadership on every day. I hope we have Democrats that come across the aisle and support tax reform.
BARTIROMO: Are you saying that nothing changed from yesterday. The Decoctates do not have more leverage come Decemeber?
MNUCHIN: I think as far as taxes the thing that occurred yesterday was we cleared the next 90 days and had more room to focus on taxes. So I think that was a big win. The president and I are focused on selling this to the American people. Why this is good for the economy and why we need this, we have to create economic growth, and that’s what this is all about. And I expect we will have Democrats understand that and come along and vote with us on this.
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