Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday dismissed the idea that a bipartisan tax reform deal could be reached, and said that Republicans plan to go it alone with a 51-vote procedure to pass legislation and thwart a Democratic filibuster, the Washington Examiner reported. McConnell dashed the idea just as some Republicans and Democrats were talking about cutting a bipartisan tax deal, and suggesting the parties can work together if both sides are willing to drop the partisanship and cooperate. Senate Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Thune said the GOP would be willing to try negotiating with Democrats on at least some part of tax reform rather than use the reconciliation process to pass legislation unilaterally with 51 votes.
