If successful, this tactic could undermine the integrity of budget rules, allowing lawmakers to pass costly legislation without acknowledging its long-term financial implications.

Maya MacGuineas and other critics describe the proposed accounting change as deceptive, warning it could increase national debt without accountability.

Concerns are mounting that if Republicans set this precedent, it could enable Democrats to implement their own permanent spending measures, further exacerbating the national debt.

Senate Republicans are pushing to alter the scoring method for extending President Trump's 2017 tax cuts, which could lead to an increase in federal deficits by nearly $4 trillion over the next decade.

By employing a baseline accounting method that assumes the tax cuts will continue indefinitely, Republicans aim to present the renewal of these cuts as cost-free.

This approach frames the initial $4 trillion of these costs as 'free,' arguing that extending existing tax cuts should not be counted against the budget, a significant departure from standard budgeting practices.

Fiscal watchdog groups have raised alarms about these proposed changes, labeling them as irresponsible attempts to bypass rules that protect the fiscal health of future generations.

Critics, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, argue that this maneuver undermines Senate norms and could lead to future abuses by either party.

Ultimately, this procedural maneuvering reflects a desire among Congressional Republicans to implement significant tax cuts for the wealthy without transparent fiscal accountability.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham is positioned to determine the scoring baseline used, potentially bypassing the traditional role of the Senate parliamentarian.

In contrast, House Republicans are considering a different approach, acknowledging the costs of tax cuts and proposing spending cuts to offset them, though their stance on the Senate's plan remains uncertain.

Powerful business groups support making the tax cuts permanent, arguing it would provide necessary stability for economic growth, while fiscal watchdogs warn it could harm future generations' fiscal health.