if i understand the procedures, republicans are in a bind.
they obviously can't reach 60 votes without democratic cooperation, which is (perhaps surprisingly given our lack of unity in the past) a major challenge.
under current rules, they can pass things with a simple majority only, by using the "reconciliation" rules, but in order to do that, if i understand correctly, it has to be scored by the cbo as not adding to the deficit.
that means they can't just pass a tax cut without offsetting revenue-raising measures, which they're having a tough time agreeing on. it also means they can't just repeal the aca, because that really is a tax cut as well (for the rich, anyway).
so the easiest political solution for them would seem to be to just pass the tax cuts and let it increase the deficit. some of the deficit hawks certainly wouldn't be happy, but they're not likely to turn down a tax cut for the rich over it at the end of the day. they're republicans, after all, and they can be bought.
the only problem is actually getting the votes to eliminate the filibuster. they need 50 senators for this and again, none of the democrats will help. but a few republican senators will have a tough time voting for that.
we shall see.
of course, if they eliminate the filibuster and actually get their act together, all hope is lost.
the filibuster and their incompetence are our last hopes.
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