Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
Carbon tariffs may enter the reconciliation discussion as a possible pay-for.
Why it matters: President-elect Trump is promising a trade war, and the reconciliation bill could be a venue for Congress to have a say.
What they're saying: Republican carbon tariff supporters said they see an opportunity to get Trump behind the policy as an anti-China weapon.
- "It certainly meets some of their goals," Sen. Bill Cassidy told Axios, noting that Trump tariff guru Robert Lighthizer has backed the idea.
- "I would think they could be on the on the table for for a budget reconciliation," Sen. Kevin Cramer told reporters.
Reality check: The carbon tax label is already scaring Republicans off the PROVE IT Act, and it's tough to see the Trump administration taking up the mantle on anything related to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Hill Republicans also don't have much of a consensus on trade policy right now.
