Take two for tax cuts: After rule violation, House Republicans forced to revote on tax bill

In what may be one of the most careless and unorganized attempts to pass a massive reform bill in history, the GOP tax bill passed the Republican-controlled House for the second time in two days. After being approved in the Senate during the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, the Republican tax bill only awaits President Donald Trump's much-anticipated signature.

On Tuesday, the GOP tax bill, which is full of many flaws, passed through the House of Representatives but had to be sent back for a second vote when it was revealed that the Senate's version of the legislation was riddled with provisional errors. This came after much resistance from the Democratic party, which pointed out numerous errors and flaws. According to The New York Times, these provisions violated the budget rules that Republicans needed that would ultimately shield it from a Democratic filibuster. 

Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, dismissed the Democratic concerns early on Tuesday, declaring victory — prematurely — as it passed through the House for the first time. “Today, we are giving the people of this country their money back,” Ryan said, grinning, before the vote.

The first vote on Tuesday passed 227 to 203 in the House. Twelve Republicans voted against it; no Democrats voted for it. The second vote through the House was a formality, since no significant changes were made.

The delay, which was an obvious miss by Republicans, was a small victory for Democrats, who had been reiterating time and time again that this tax plan is indeed a scam.

“This G.O.P. tax scam is simply theft — monumental, brazen theft from the American middle class and from every person who aspires to reach it,” said Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic Leader.

As we've reported, Republicans have been aware of the many flaws the bill holds. For example, they have been aware of the fact that cutting taxes on "pass-through" businesses could make it easier for the wealthy to find ways to lump their income under so-called businesses with those titles in order to avoid paying taxes on it.

The bill will soon be in the hands of President Trump, who plans to host Congressional Republicans at the White House Wednesday afternoon.