Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) pushed back against a reporter who asked a question critical of the Republican tax reform bill early Wednesday morning by pointing out it was the reporter's "job" to use "Democratic talking points."
McConnell held a press conference shortly after the Senate passed the $1.5 trillion package of tax cuts and tax code revisions in the chamber's 51-48 vote.
"What do you say to Sen. [Chuck] Schumer [D., N.Y] when he says that you guys are going to rue the day that you pass this bill–that the politics of passing long-term corporate tax cuts with short-term individual cuts is going to catch up to you guys?" a reporter asked.
McConnell cleared his throat and told the reporter he understood his job to "use the Democratic talking points" before explaining why he believes the tax reform bill is good for Americans.
"Look, we believe that this product will do two extremely important things for the country. Number one, provide middle-class with tax relief and number two, provide business changes that make us more competitive," McConnell said.
"With regard to the termination dates, let me tell you what terminates this tax cut. The Democrats taking the Congress next November would turn this into a very short tax bill, so I think focusing on dates that may expire because of the need to fit the reconciliation rules miss the point," he added.
The senator from Kentucky went on to elaborate that there is a lot at stake in the 2018 elections with the Democrats being committed to repealing tax reform and to raising taxes on the American people.
While the House initially voted to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Tuesday, provisions had to subsequently be removed from the bill to conform with Senate rules, Politico reported. The Senate ultimately passed the slightly revised bill Tuesday, and the House will vote on the bill again on Wednesday. The bill will then go to President Donald Trump's desk.