However it fares in the end, the Republican tax-cut strategy comes right out of the Clinton playbook. The Senate is expected to pass the proposal this week and send it to Clinton, who is expected to pull out his veto pen. He may get some practice with the pen on the inheritance-tax bill, which passed the Senate late last week. Though less than 2 percent of people who die each year have estates that qualify, repeal has proved a surprisingly popular issue. But not a veto-proof one.
Republicans say they still have a few more cards to play.
We have a little more leverage than usual. Opening up Chinese markets to American business could help secure Clinton's legacy as an architect of a new American economy. Look for the Senate leaders to hold the bill hostage until September. Paying the bills. Republicans are especially happy with the pace at which they have been completing work on the spending bills required to fund the federal government.