Corker, Rubio To Vote Yes On GOP Tax Reform Bill
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — Republican Sen. Bob Corker says he will vote for the sweeping GOP tax package.
The Tennessee senator, who opposed the original Senate bill, said in a statement Friday that although the bill is far from perfect, the once-in-a-generation opportunity "to make U.S. businesses domestically more productive and internationally more competitive is one we should not miss.''
Corker had complained about adding to the nation's $20 trillion debt with deep tax cuts.
In his statement, Corker said, "I realize this is a bet on our country's enterprising spirit, and that is a bet I am willing to make.''
Corker is retiring when his term ends next year.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio will also vote for his party's $1.5 trillion tax bill. That gives a major boost to the prospects that GOP leaders will be able to push their prized measure through Congress next week.
The Florida lawmaker had said he'd oppose the legislation unless his colleagues made the per child tax credit more generous for low-income families.
"It's amazing what they can do when they want to do it," Rubio said on Friday.
On Friday, Republicans said the final legislation would do just that. Lawmakers said the bill would now let low-earners using the credit get up to $1,400 in IRS refunds if they owe little or no taxes. That's up from $1,100 in the earlier version.
Rubio tweeted that the change is "a solid step toward broader reforms which are both Pro-Growth and Pro-Worker.''
Rubio spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas said that meant he'd vote yes.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)