Senate Republicans have dismissed a Democratic challenge to their use of the ‘current policy baseline’ in the GOP’s megabill, which eliminates the projected $3.8 trillion in costs for extending tax cuts. The vote, which passed 53-47 along party lines, approved the maneuver despite efforts by Senate Democrats to label it as a radical departure from established budget procedures.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the GOP of deploying ‘fake math’ and accounting gimmicks to mask the true cost of the bill. ‘To vote yes on this, make no mistake about it my colleagues, will in a dramatic way further erode the Senate,’ Schumer said during a floor speech. However, Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsay Graham defended the decision, emphasizing his authority to determine the budget baseline for the sprawling legislation covering border, energy, and tax provisions. ‘I’ve never felt better. I’ve been wanting to do this for, like, a long time,’ Graham stated, signaling strong support for the move.
Democrats initiated four parliamentary inquiries to challenge the GOP’s approach, arguing that it undermines longstanding budget rules and sets a dangerous precedent for future legislative actions. The dispute highlights deepening tensions over how to score and evaluate the fiscal impact of major legislation, particularly in an environment of heightened political polarization. With the GOP megabill moving forward under the new baseline, the debate over its long-term implications and potential reforms will likely continue as the Senate navigates its legislative agenda.