GOP leaders don't take Ron Johnson's tax reform threats seriously

Top Senate Republicans aren’t taking seriously Sen. Ron Johnson’s threats to oppose the party’s $1.4 trillion tax overhaul package.

The Wisconsin Republican is holding out for changes that would put the tax treatment of small businesses on a more equal footing with major corporations. Negotiations with Senate GOP leaders and President Trump on adjustments to assuage Johnson’s concerns have made progress, and Johnson did vote for the motion to begin debate on the package Wednesday evening. The senator, however, said his concerns remain, and they're not frivolous.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his lieutenants, accustomed to Johnson’s bluster, aren’t that worried. The senator often fumes about key aspects of major legislation and complains about being excluded from the drafting process, only to vote “yes” upon final passage.

That’s what happened during debate over the ultimately failed proposal to repeal and replace Obamacare, President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. Republicans expect that will be the case again on tax reform, even if the package isn’t amended to Johnson’s satisfaction.

“There’s no way he’s going to vote against it. Mitch McConnell’s team knows that,” said a Republican operative who has worked with Johnson in the past and is tracking the tax bill for industry clients. The operative requested anonymity in order to speak candidly and not upset delicate negotiations.