Flake to back tax bill, giving GOP 50 votes

Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane Flake Flake donating unused campaign funds to Arizona nonprofit focused on elections: report Biden nominates former Sen. Tom Udall as New Zealand ambassador Biden to nominate Jane Hartley as UK ambassador: report MORE (R-Ariz.) said on Friday that he will support the Republican tax plan, handing leadership the 50th vote needed to pass the bill.

"I am pleased to announce I will vote in support the tax reform bill," he said in a statement.

Flake's decision officially gives Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Biden signs bill to raise debt ceiling On The Money — Progressives play hard ball on Biden budget plan Schumer, McConnell headed for another collision over voting rights MORE (Ky.) the 50 out of 52 GOP senators he needs to let Vice President Pence break a tie on the legislation.

Republicans had to kick work on the tax plan into Friday when deficit hawks led by Sen. Bob Corker

Robert (Bob) Phillips Corker Cheney set to be face of anti-Trump GOP How leaving Afghanistan cancels our post-9/11 use of force The unflappable Liz Cheney: Why Trump Republicans have struggled to crush her MORE (R-Tenn.) threatened to kill the bill during an unexpected floor showdown on Thursday evening.

Republicans are expected to pass their tax plan as soon as Friday.

Leadership appeared confident on Friday morning that they had the votes to pass their tax plan.

"We have the votes," McConnell told reporters after a closed-door caucus meeting.

GOP Sens. Corker and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins McConnell gets GOP wake-up call Republicans are today's Dixiecrats Biden's push for unity collides with entrenched partisanship MORE (Maine) have not said how they will vote on the tax legislation.

Flake said in addition to getting rid of an $85 billion "budget gimmick," he had also secured an agreement to work on a legislative fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

"The second was to obtain a firm commitment from the Senate Leadership and the administration to work with me on a growth-oriented legislative solution to enact fair and permanent protections for DACA recipients," he said.

The Trump administration announced earlier this year that it would end the DACA program.

A group of Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck Grassley On The Money — Progressives play hard ball on Biden budget plan Hillicon Valley — Presented by LookingGlass — Congress makes technology policy moves Senators preview bill to stop tech giants from prioritizing their own products MORE (R-Iowa), made an offer to Sen. Dick DurbinDick Durbin Senators preview bill to stop tech giants from prioritizing their own products Democrats struggle to gain steam on Biden spending plan Press: Where's Merrick Garland when we need him? MORE (D-Ill.) that would pair much of Sen. John CornynJohn Cornyn Cornyn raises more than M for Senate GOP Is the Biden administration afraid of trade? The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - After high drama, Senate lifts debt limit MORE's (R-Texas) border security bill with an immigration fix that did not include a path to citizenship.