Trump and Warren: An Unlikely Alliance

Over the past couple of weeks Donald Trump's tax plan has been gaining support from Democrats. But after the most recent GOP debate, Elizabeth Warren, a Senator from Massachusetts stepped out in support of Trump's plan. Warren, along with a handful of other Democrats in the House and Senate, praised Trump Thursday for wanting to make changes in tax policies so hedge fund managers and large corporations no longer have a loophole in their taxes. Trump has yet to release his entire tax plan but he has said it will reduce taxes, especially for the middle class. Trump has also said he will focus on making fair taxes for the hedge fund managers, who won't be happy with him but "they are making a tremendous amount of money and paying virtually no tax, and I think it's unfair" (Roll Call). There is a carried interest tax loophole that allows this to happen. Not only has Trump said he wants to close this loophole, but so has the other Republican front-runner, Jeb Bush.

In a time where Republicans and Democrats agree on very little, so much to the point that we are facing another shutdown, it seems opportune to jump on something both parties agree on. This is exactly what Senator Warren stressed on Thursday, along with her colleges, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Senator Mark Warner. Reports on the carried interest loophole have showed that over the next decade $15.6 billion could be raised from closing the loophole. The members of both parties don’t exactly agree on what should be done after closing the loophole. For example, Democrats support raising the spending caps while Republicans do not. However, Warren said it best on Thursday, “the way we see this, Washington is a hard place to get people to come together to agree on something. We agree on this. So, take yes for an answer and make it happen” (Roll Call). This perfectly captures the struggle lawmakers face in Congress. It’s difficult enough to balance representation and lawmaking, but as a result of those conflicting responsibilities, Senators and Representatives now face a Congress that is so polarized that nothing is getting done.

Despite bipartisan support it’s still unclear if this agreement will make it into the new budget. Some Republicans are rallying together to not pass a budget that doesn’t defund Planned Parenthood. The conflicting roles of Congress have created a system in which lawmakers primary concern is re-election, and going against one’s party risks re-election. So although, there is bipartisan support for closing this loophole the duel roles of Congress might prevent Senators from making a compromise we desperately need. As nice as it would be for both Democrats and Republicans alike to say, “yes” and “make it happen,” it’s still unclear if the parties and lawmakers are ready to make that compromise.

Roll Call
http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/senate-democrats-cheer-donald-trump-for-bashing-tax-loopholes/?dcz=

Business Insider 
http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-buffett-warren-krugman-taxes-economy-2015-9