8am – D INTERVIEW – SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN – D-MARYLAND

TOPICS: “The Better Deal”, new proposed outsourcing tax, what will happen with the tax reform debate

– Senate Democrats unveil ‘better deal’ on trade with new restrictions on outsourcing and foreign deals Democrats are calling for harsh new punishments on companies that outsource jobs and a crackdown on currency manipulation, embracing a more populist economic agenda as they seek to win back control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.

– Senate Democrats set conditions for tax reform. In a letter to Trump and GOP leaders Tuesday, 45 of the 48 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus urged the GOP not to use arcane budget reconciliation procedures to shield any tax reform bill from a filibuster. As the Obamacare repeal effort fell apart, some Republican senators began calling for the inclusion of Democrats on a bill that could win 60 votes. “Using a fast-track process like reconciliation would undoubtedly result in outsized political influence on the process and significantly hinder lawmakers’ ability to close loopholes and end special interest favoritism that plagues our current tax system,” wrote the Democratic senators.