Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made it clear eight weeks ago he was no fan of a tax cut if it increased the deficit.
If “we are adding one penny to the deficit,” he told NBC’s Chuck Todd on Oct. 1, “I’m not going to be for it. Sorry, it’s the greatest threat to our nation.”
That was not a sour Corker response due to his late-summer feud with President Donald Trump. That was Corker being Corker in not wanting to increase the deficit. That was Corker being Corker in not wanting to kick the payment can down the road. That was Corker being Corker in being frustrated nothing was being done to cut nondiscretionary spending.
On Tuesday, the state’s junior senator was in position to put a giant dent in the president’s – and Congress’s – desire for a tax cut. But, typical of the former Chattanooga businessman and mayor, he was trying to make things work out.
Corker’s reaction
“After agreeing in principle with Senate leadership, members of the finance committee, and the administration on a trigger mechanism to ensure greater fiscal responsibility should economic growth estimates not be realized, I voted today to advance this important piece of legislation. While we are still working to finalize the details, I am encouraged by our discussions.”- Sen. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.