How SC’s Tim Scott will decide what America’s tax bill looks like

One S.C. lawmaker will have a pivotal voice on tax reform.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-N. Charleston, was named Thursday to the conference committee negotiating the final version of the GOP’s tax reform plan. The proposal will be voted on by the House and Senate sometime before the end of the year, if congressional Republicans can keep to schedule.

Scott was one of 51 Republicans who voted to approve the Senate version of the tax plan. He now will have a say in how differences between that bill and the House-passed version are reconciled.

GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Scott one of the “core four” working on the bill for the Senate, along with U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Pat Toomey, R-Pa.; and John Thune, R-S.D.

“I want to thank the majority leader for the opportunity to continue working on our tax reform package that will help so many hardworking American families,” Scott said. “I have said from the beginning that my goal is to help families keep more of their paychecks at home, and to ensure that the jobs of the 21st century are created right here in America.”

Critics say the GOP proposals add to the deficit, raise taxes on many individuals to cut taxes for companies, and cut or eliminate the inheritance tax, an issue only for the ultra-rich.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 7:53 AM with the headline "How SC’s Tim Scott will decide what America’s tax bill looks like."