House begins tax reform with budget bill this week

House and Senate lawmakers will begin considering a fiscal 2018 budget this week to start the Republican race to finish tax reform by the end of the year.

The budget resolution is one of the most critical measures Republicans in either chamber must pass if they are to achieve the party's top goal of overhauling the tax code.

Because it is the only measure that can use special rules to circumvent a filibuster by the Democrats, the GOP will add the tax reform plan to the budget resolution to enable passage in both chambers with simple GOP majorities.

"The budget is still the key that unlocks any of these great ideas," House Budget Committee Chairwoman Diane Black, R-Tenn., reminded lawmakers last week when Republicans unveiled their tax reform plan.

Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the House will vote on the budget resolution next week. He touted the provisions in the plan, which includes money for the southern border wall President Trump promised during his campaign.