Marco Rubio opposes current GOP tax plan; Mike Lee is undecided

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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks next to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) during a news conference to introduce their proposal for an overhaul of the tax code, March 4, 2015 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Two Republican senators are holding out from voting for the GOP tax plan as written, adding uncertainty to the party’s push to overhaul the American tax system ahead of an expected vote next week.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., opposes the current legislation unless the GOP expands the proposed child tax credit, spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas confirmed. Rubio informed Senate leaders of his stance, The Washington Post first reported.

“Senator Rubio has consistently communicated to the Senate tax negotiators that his vote on final passage would depend on whether the refundability of the child tax credit was increased in a meaningful way,” Perez-Cubas said in a statement.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is currently undecided on the bill and also seeks bigger tax relief for working families, spokesman Conn Carroll said.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., opposed the Senate version of the plan and has not committed to backing a joint House and Senate bill. If both Corker and Rubio vote against the tax proposal, one more GOP senator opposing it would sink the bill.

The stances of both Rubio and Lee could change if Republican leaders make tweaks to the bill.

House and Senate negotiators are hammering out a deal on a final tax bill that both chambers hope to pass next week and send to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Complicating matters is the health of GOP Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., who have missed votes this week. McCain is undergoing treatments related to brain cancer. Cochran reportedly had a nonmelanoma lesion removed from his nose but is available for votes next week.

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