Republican congressmen are divided over the idea of a long-term approach to overhauling the tax code by extending the budget window beyond a traditional 10-year time limit, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
Supporters of the idea say it would allow Congress to pass temporary tax cuts that could last for a longer period of time, while opponents argue that tax reform should be permanent and therefore revenue neutral.
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey first raised the idea in May, telling The Washington Times that "a longer time frame [for the budget window], in combination with proposed reforms, will help us realize a robust economic revival [because] many business choices hinge on forecasting beyond" a 10-year period.
The budget window is relevant to tax reform because congressional Republicans plan to pass tax legislation using reconciliation, which means the legislation would need only a simple majority to pass, according to The Hill.
But reconciliation bills are not allowed to add to the deficit outside of the budget window, which means a tax bill either needs to be permanent and revenue neutral or have at least some provisions that are temporary.
Toomey said last week that he's getting a "fair amount" of support for his idea, but it has not gained the backing of the GOP leadership in the House.
And outside tax and budget groups also have expressed opposition to extending the budget window for a tax bill.
"Tax reform should be fully paid for, regardless of the budget window," Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget President Maya MacGuineas said in a statement. "If the only purpose of moving to a 20-year budget window is to add to the debt, then it is a gimmick."
Even among those with authority who favor the idea, such as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, say it is unlikely to happen.
"We're pretty well stuck on the 10 years," he said, pointing out that the Congressional Budget Office is used to providing 10-year estimates of bills' budgetary impacts.
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