If Jeff Flake is such a bold and independent thinker, he sure has an odd way of showing it!
On Friday, the Republican senator from Arizona announced that he will vote for the Republican tax bill that is currently being shoved through the Senate despite the fact that no one knows what exactly they are voting on. Flake’s support was enough for Mitch McConnell to claim that the GOP had the votes to pass their plan (though, as we’ve learned with “having the votes” on health care repeal, it’s not over until it’s over. Call up your senators folks!)
What did Flake get for his support you might ask?
That’s right, Flake got a “firm commitment” from the Senate leadership and the Trump administration to “work with” him on a “growth-oriented legislative solution” for DACA recipients. If it sounds like a bunch of nonsense to you, that’s because it is. I’m no “Deal Maker” but I would imagine if the Senate leadership really needs your vote—and you really wanted to do something for DACA recipients—you could probably secure something beyond this weak ass garbage.
Also, Republicans in the House made clear they have no inclination to go along with Flake.
Despite this very embarrassing move, Flake didn’t get played. He was probably going to vote for the bill anyways—he’s voted with Trump 90 percent of the time and he’s a Republican. What Flake really got from the GOP leadership was cover to say that he voted for the tax plan in the name of DACA recipients. That, my friends, is all it takes to assuage the conscience of a conservative.