Trump praises Senate for passing budget, eyeing tax reform

President Trump praised Senate Republicans late Thursday for passing the fiscal 2018 budget, a key step toward the party’s goal of getting tax reform.

“This resolution creates a pathway to unleash the potential of the American economy through tax reform and tax cuts, simplifying the overcomplicated tax code, providing financial relief for families across the country, and making American businesses globally competitive,” the White House said in a statement.

“President Trump looks forward to final enactment of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution so we can bring jobs back to our country,” it added. 

{mosads}

The Senate narrowly approved the budget after a grueling hours-long marathon voting session Thursday night, advancing the measure in a 51-49 vote.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joined with every Democrat and independent in voting against the bill.

The measure includes instructions allowing Republicans’ tax plan to avoid a Democratic filibuster. 

The bill included a last-minute amendment from Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) that adopted technical and procedural language from the House budget, potentially expediting the budget’s final passage.