Just to be perfectly CLEAR, on Trump's promise for "No taxes on Social Security"…it CAN'T be in a bill that only requires 51 votes to pass…It needs to be a single stand alone bill…and it needs 60 votes to PASS…
It just might take awhile because we know there in NO chance in hell to get 60 votes on ANY bill at this moment in time…
Per GROK…
Q - is it true that Trump promise to no tax on SS would have to be on a separate bill only having to do with SS contract and it would need 60 votes to pass…
A - Yes, it is true that former President Donald Trump's promise to eliminate taxes on Social Security (SS) benefits would likely require a separate bill and need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, due to specific legislative constraints. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Separate Bill Requirement: Changes to Social Security, including eliminating taxes on benefits, cannot be included in a budget reconciliation bill, which is a fast-track process requiring only a simple majority (51 votes) in the Senate. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974, specifically the Byrd Rule, prohibits modifications to Social Security through reconciliation, as they are considered "extraneous" to the primary goal of budgetary reform. Therefore, any proposal to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits must be introduced as a standalone bill.
60-Vote Threshold: In the Senate, most legislation requires 60 votes to overcome a potential filibuster, unless it qualifies for reconciliation (which Social Security changes do not). This means a bill to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits would need 60 votes to pass, requiring bipartisan support, as Republicans currently hold a narrow majority and would need Democratic votes to reach the threshold.
Context of Trump’s Promise: Trump repeatedly pledged to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits during his campaign, but the House Ways and Means Committee’s recent tax bill (referred to as the “big, beautiful bill”) did not include this provision. Instead, it proposed a $4,000 deduction for seniors to offset taxes on Social Security, as a workaround to avoid the reconciliation restrictions. This indicates that the promise to eliminate Social Security taxes faces legislative hurdles, leading to alternative approaches in the current bill.
Sentiment on X: Posts on X align with this understanding, noting that the Byrd Rule prevents Social Security changes in reconciliation, and a standalone bill requiring 60 Senate votes is necessary. Some suggest introducing a separate Social Security bill to force Democrats to vote on it publicly, highlighting the political strategy involved.
In summary, Trump’s promise to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits cannot be part of a reconciliation bill and must be addressed in a separate bill, which would require 60 votes in the Senate to pass. This is due to the Byrd Rule and Senate filibuster rules, making bipartisan support essential.
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