‘Late into the night, the Senate passed the Republican bill to rewrite the American tax code. This marks the last major hurdle before the bill becomes law. Democrats complained they weren’t able to read the bill, as Republicans added handwritten amendments.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made “one final plea,” calling for a motion to adjourn until Monday to allow Democrats to read the last-minute handwritten tax provisions. The motion failed with a 52-48 vote along party lines. “In my long career in politics, I have not seen a more regressive piece of legislation, so devoid of a rationale, so ill-suited for the condition of the country, so removed from the reality of what the American people need”
U.S. religious entities would be allowed to engage in political activity without the risk of losing their tax-exempt status under a Republican overhaul to the tax code, a move that could give influential community leaders of the churches more latitude to try to influence voters.
Allowing churches to engage in political activity might provide some tactical help for Republicans in the 2018 U.S. congressional elections’ and have long term benefits for Trump’s reelection through the right wing evangelicals.