AMMAN: The pressure on House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Republican leadership to jettison border adjustability, a key but controversial part of the House GOP tax plan, keeps growing.
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the Freedom Caucus, an influential group of about three dozen ultra-conservative House Republicans, said at a June 9 Heritage Foundation forum that it was time to look beyond the border tax because there is no consensus on the issue in Congress. Meanwhile, time is slipping away, he said, adding that Congress should cancel its August recess to work on a tax bill.
Meadows’ position could mean significant trouble for the House Republican leadership. The caucus flexed its muscles during the debate and passage of the health care bill, and has the ability to slow down legislation or try to make significant changes to it. The Freedom Caucus hasn’t taken an official position on border adjustability but members such as Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) oppose it. Meadows said the caucus would like to start debating a “real proposal” in July.
