On the recordOctober 18, 2017
for the benefit of my colleagues, this next vote will be the last roll call vote of the day. Senator Collins has graciously agreed to do a voice vote on her amendment. On this amendment, though, I am going to urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. We should not prejudge the Finance Committee's consideration of tax reform but allow the bill to go through regular order, where it will be open to amendment. This amendment is corrosive to the budget resolution privilege. It falls outside the scope of what is appropriate for inclusion. Adoption of corrosive amendments could be fatal to the resolution's privilege, and loss of privilege could compromise our ability to pass tax reform and enforce the budget spending limits. Further, this amendment is also nongermane. The Congressional Budget Act requires that amendments to a budget resolution be germane. It is a statutory requirement we can't ignore. So I raise a point of order against this amendment under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, section 305(b)(2). The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
