With the support of Alabama U.S. Sens. Luther Strange and Richard Shelby, the U.S. Senate approved the FY18 budget Thursday night, 51-49.
The passage of the budget will allow work to begin, in earnest, on tax relief through the use of a procedural maneuver to pass tax reform legislation through the Senate with 50 or more votes, removing the need for support from Democratic senators.
The budget allows for the possibility of expanding the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over 10 years via President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts.
“Passing a budget resolution is in our job description as Senators – it is not the finish line,”said Strange. “We owe the American people concrete action on several major issues, the first being the outdated tax code that stands in the way of their hard-earned take-home pay.”
Strange also joined ten Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledging to “be available for voting day and night” to help accomplish Trump’s fall legislative agenda.
“As I joined my colleagues in writing to Leader McConnell, I am ready to make good on our promises, starting with comprehensive tax relief, this year,” added Strange.
