Congress Passes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

December 19-20, 2017
 

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AT BILL PASSAGE EVENT

  South Lawn

December 20, 2017

[White House Transcript] 
03:01 P.M. EST

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody, very much.  And these are the people right behind me.  They've worked so long, so hard.

 

It's been an amazing experience, I have to tell you.  Hasn't been done in 34 years, but actually, really hasn't been done, because we broke every record.  It's the largest -- I always say, the most massive -- but it's the largest tax cut in the history of our country -- and reform -- but tax cut.  (Applause.)  Really something special. 

 

     And I know this just came out.  Two minutes ago, they handed it to me.  AT&T plans to increase U.S. capital spending $1 billion and provide $1,000 special bonus to more than 200,000 U.S. employees, and that's because of what we did.  So that's pretty good.  That's pretty good.  (Applause.) 

 

     And I have a whole list of accomplishments that the group behind me have done, in terms of this administration and this Congress, but you've heard it before.  Records all over the place, and that will continue and then some because of what we did.  But $3.2 trillion -- just think of it -- in tax cuts for American families, including doubling the standard deduction and doubling the child tax credit. 

 

     The typical family of four earning $75,000 will see an income tax cut of more than $2,000.  They're going to have $2,000, and that's, in my opinion, going to be less than the average.  You're going to have a lot more than that.  (Applause.)

 

One thing, very important, for the farmers -- the great farmers, and the great small-business owners, that were forced to sell their businesses at bargain, basement numbers -- we have provided, for the most part, estate tax is wiped out.  So they can keep their farms in the family, and that to me is a very big factor -- very big.  (Applause.)

 

     This is -- this is going to mean companies are going to be coming back.  And I campaigned on the fact that we're not going to lose our companies anymore.  They're going to stay in our country.  And they're going to stay in our country.  And you've been seeing what's been happening, even at this prospect.  But they have tremendous enthusiasm right now in this country.  And we have companies pouring back into our country.  And that means jobs, and it means really, the formation of new young, beautiful strong, companies.  So that's going to be very, very important. 

 

     The pass-throughs, you know all about, and the small businesses are going to be big beneficiaries.  We are going to be bring at least $4 trillion back into this country -- money that was frozen overseas and in parts of the world.  And some of them don't even like us, and they had the money.  Well they're not going to have the money long.  (Applause.)  And so it's really -- I guess it's very simple, when you think you haven't heard this expression, but we are making America great again.  You haven't heard that, have you?  (Applause.)

 

     I want to have them get up and get the glamor and the glory, and I just want to have a few of them come up and they'll speak for a little while -- and short -- the shorter the better.  (Laughter.)  That way we can get all of you -- we'll get everybody up, right? 

 

But I want to thank Mitch McConnell.  I want to thank -- (applause) -- what a job, what a job.  And I want to thank Paul.  They're going to speak; they're going to say a few words.  But Paul Ryan and Mitch -- it was a little team.  We just got together, and we would work very hard.  Didn't we?  Huh?  It seems like -- it was a lot of fun.  It's always a lot of fun when you win.  (Laughter.)  If you work hard and lose, that's not acceptable. 

 

But I'm just going to name a few names and then some of them will come up.  But people that I saw so much over the last month -- and really over the last, almost year -- because when you think of it, we haven't even been a year, and we did the largest tax cut in our history. 

 

We -- I hate to say this -- but we essentially repealed Obamacare because we got rid of the individual mandate, which was terrible.  (Applause.)  And that was a primary source of funding of Obamacare. 

 

And ANWR -- so a friend of mine -- oh congratulations -- (applause) -- and Dan, where's Dan?

 

PARTICIPANT:  Don.  Don.  Right behind you. 

 

THE PRESIDENT:  No, and Don too.  Where's Dan?  Where's Dan?

 

PARTICIPANT:  Sullivan?

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Where's Sullivan?

 

PARTICIPANT: He's not here.  Lisa Murkowski is right here. 

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, okay.  I'll tell you, between Dan and Don and Lisa, you've done a very great job. 

 

So a friend of mine called up about ANWR -- he's in the oil business -- he said, "You didn't get ANWR?"  And I said, "Tell me about ANWR."  He said, "We've been trying to get that passed.  The whole country -- the world -- they tried in Ronald Reagan.  They tried with the Bushes.  They tried with everybody.  They never got ANWR."  But we got ANWR in this bill.  So we have ANWR, we have mandate, and we have the tax cut, and we have the reform.  (Applause.)  I mean when you add up the size of this bill it's really great. 

 

So, Lisa, thank you very much -- Lisa Murkowski. 

 

     So John Cornyn, the great Chairman Orrin Hatch -- (applause) -- great job, Orrin.  Wow.  Orrin is a special person.  Tim Scott, who has been so incredible.  He's going to say a few words.  (Applause.)  Where is Tim?  Where is Tim? 

 

     Yeah, you pick it up.  He's younger than I am.  (Laughter.)  Come here.  I have it mostly memorized.  (Laughter.) 

 

But Tim Scott has been great.  John Thune, where's John?  John.  John -- great job, John.  (Applause.) 

 

Rob Portman, a real student of the tax world.  Rob, thank you very much.  (Applause.)

 

     I want to thank -- I said hello to John Cornyn.  Pat Toomey, he has been -- we rode together in Pennsylvania.  But Pat -- where's Pat?  Pat, great job.  He knows his business.  (Applause.)

 

     Susan Collins, we want to thank.  Susan is around someplace.  Susan?  Thank you, Susan.  (Applause.)

 

     All friends -- I mean, I look at these people, it's like we're warriors together.  Kristi Noem on the House -- we have Kristi Noem and Diane Black, our great Speaker Paul Ryan -- and he is a great Speaker.  (Applause.)  Great job.  

 

Kevin McCarthy.  (Applause.)  Kevin -- what a job, Kevin.  We had fun.  Did we have a good time? 

 

     Steve Scalise, he's braver than all of us.  He's braver.  Where is he?  (Applause.)  Oh boy, I don't know.  He had a rougher year than most of us, but it's a hell of a way to lose weight, Steve.  (Laughter.)  You said lost it.  Not a good way.  We love you, Steve.  Great job.  Great job.

 

     Kevin Brady.  Kevin.  (Applause.)  Kevin Brady. 

 

So maybe what I'll do -- and by the way I mentioned AT&T, but many companies have come forward and saying they're so happy.  And they're going to be doing similar announcements.  We're going to see something that's going to be very special.  We're bringing the entrepreneur back into this country.  We're getting rid of all the knots and all the ties, and you're going to see.  You're going to see what happens.  And ultimately, what does it mean?  It means jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. 

 

So it's going to be, really, a special period of time.  We're in a very special period of time, and it's going to be even more so.

 

I want to thank everybody behind me.  Maybe I could start with Mitch, and then we'll go to Paul, and then we're going to have a few of the folks come up and say a few words and we'll have a little fun.  Okay?  Thank you.

 

     Mitch, how about you start it?

 

     LEADER MCCONNELL:  Well, let me just say, Mr. President, you made the case for the tax bill.  But this has been a year of extraordinary accomplishment for the Trump administration.  (Applause.) 

 

     We've cemented the Supreme Court right-of-center for a generation.  (Applause.)  Mr. President, thanks to your nominees, we've put 12 circuit court judges in place -- the most since the circuit court system was established in 1891.  You hold the record.  (Applause.)

 

     You've ended the overregulation of the American economy.  And that, coupled with what we did last night and what the House finished this morning, means America is going to start growing again.

 

     Thank you, Mr. President, for all you're doing.  (Applause.)

 

     SPEAKER RYAN:  First of all, what this represents is a promise that each and every one of us made to the American people last year is a promise that is kept today.  (Applause.)

 

     Something this big, something this generational, something this profound could not have been done without exquisite presidential leadership.  Mr. President, thank you for getting us over the finish line.  Thank you for getting us where we are.  (Applause.)

 

I just want to quickly just say a thanks because this has been such a team effort from everybody.  I want to thank Gary Cohn and Steve Mnuchin from the President's economic team for what they did to get us here.  (Applause.) 

 

I want to thank my partner, Mitch McConnell, over in the Senate for getting us to where we are.  And I want to thank these two chairmen, Orrin Hatch and Kevin Brady.  Thank you so much for your leadership on this.  (Applause.)

 

It is really simple.  The message to the hardworking taxpayers of America is:  Your tax relief is on its way.  That is what's happening here.  The message to the families in America who've been struggling, paycheck and paycheck -- your tax rates are going down and your paychecks are going up. 

 

This is the kind of relief that Americans deserve.  This is the kind of tax reform and tax cuts that get our economy growing to reach its potential.  This gets us better wages, bigger paychecks, a simpler tax system.  This gets the American economy competitive in the global economy.  This is one of the most important things we could do for all of the people we represent. 

This is generational.  And we're so excited that we are going to launch, next year, this fantastic tax reform so that the American people can see how we can truly reach our economic growth and our economic potential.  And if it weren't for all the leadership of the men and women up here, this would not have been made possible.

 

But lastly, I just want to thank the American people.  I want to thank the American people for putting their trust in us, for giving us this chance and this ability to make this moment possible.  Thank you very much.  (Applause.)  

 

     THE PRESIDENT:  A man who's been working very hard.  Thank you, Paul.  Very, very hard for a long period of time, and last night was very much a culmination.  But I don't know if we'll have bigger moments, but we hope to.  We're going to try. 

 

     A very special guy and great friend of mine, Vice President Mike Pence.  (Applause.)

 

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you for those kind words.  But more importantly, thank you for your leadership.  Thank you for your boundless faith in the American people, and thank you for keeping your promise to see this Congress deliver the largest tax cut in American history before Christmas of this year.  Merry Christmas, America.  (Applause.)

 

     To members of our Cabinet, to Leader McConnell, to Speaker Ryan, to all these members of Congress:  Thank you.  Thank you not only for being here today for this special moment, but thank you for your leadership and support throughout this year. 

 

     I truly do believe, Mr. President, that this will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the life of our nation, a day when the Congress answered your call and made history. 

 

     But, honestly, I would say to the American people:  President Trump has been making history since the first day of this administration.  (Applause.)  We've been rebuilding our military; standing with our veterans; and, just last week, President Trump signed one of the largest investments in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan. 

 

     We've been defending our borders; upholding the rule of law.  Illegal crossings on our southern border are down by more than 50 percent. 

And President Trump has been restoring American credibility on the world stage, standing with our allies and standing up to our enemies.  As the President reflected earlier today, our NATO allies are paying more toward their common defense.  North Korea is more isolated than ever before.  This President has put Iran on notice, and put the war on Afghanistan on a path to victory.  And thanks to the leadership of this Commander-in-Chief and the courage of our armed forces, ISIS is on the run, their capital has fallen, and their so-called caliphate has crumbled across Syria and Iraq.  (Applause.)

 

But what brings us here today is that President Trump also knows that American strength starts with a growing American economy.  And from the first day of this administration, this President championed free and fair trade; he rolled back federal red tape at record levels; we've unleashed American energy; and, today, Mr. President, you've fulfilled the promise you made to millions of Americans struggling in this economy, to cut taxes across the board for working families and businesses large and small. 

 

In August of this year, the President laid out his vision for a tax cut that would be a middle-class miracle, and that's exactly what the Congress passed today.  (Applause.)  This tax cut will put more money in the pockets of the American people; it will make our tax code more simple, more fair, more easy to understand.  It will make businesses across America more competitive to create good-paying jobs and raise wages for working Americans.

 

I can tell you I serve with him every day.  President Donald Trump is a man of his word.  He's a man of action.  And with the strong support of these members of Congress, President Donald Trump delivered a great victory for the American people.  We made history today.  (Applause.)  

 

But as the President said when we gathered this morning -- a few of us, with a few less hours sleep than usual -- we're just getting started.  And I can assure you this President and this entire administration will not rest and relent until the forgotten men and women of America are forgotten no more. 

 

So thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you for your leadership.  Thank you for your love for this country and the people of this country.  And I know in my heart, with the strong, continued support of the members of Congress who are gathered on these steps, and with God's help, you will make America great again.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mike, very much.  A friend of mine -- a very, very special man -- Tim Scott.  Tim, I'd like you to say a few words.  He came in, and he would solve some problems that -- we weren't looking too good a couple of times, and Tim was really, really a tremendous help.  Thank you, Tim.  (Applause.)

 

SENATOR SCOTT:  Well, Mr. President, during one of those conversations that we had, we talked about ways to improve distressed communities throughout this country.  Fifty-two million Americans living in distressed communities -- and we talked about legislation that could move those communities forward.  And you said, "Yes." 

 

And as a part of this tax reform passage, the Investing and Opportunity Act has been included, which will bring trillions of dollars into poor communities because of your willingness to listen.  (Applause.)

 

The President said I only have about 45 more minutes, so I'm going to get to my -- (laughter). 

 

PARTICIPANT:  All time expired.

 

SENATOR SCOTT:  He didn't say that.  Okay, got it.  (Laughter.)

 

Let me just say to those Americans who are watching this process, this is not about Washington.  It's not about the Left.  It's not about the Right.  It's about single-parent moms who are looking for a reason to be hopeful in 2018.  This tax reform plan delivers for the average single mother a 70 percent tax cut.

 

For the average family who is working paycheck to paycheck, looking for ways to be hopeful about their future, to have an extra night for dinner out at a restaurant, this tax reform package cuts their taxes by nearly 60 percent. 

 

And because of folks like Marco Rubio and Ivanka -- when you think about the folks with kids in the household -- this plan doubles the child tax credit and makes about 70 percent of it refundable.  This is a plan that we can be proud of because it speaks to the hearts of everyday Americans.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Diane, come on up.  Diane Black.  Thank you, Diane.  (Applause.)

 

REPRESENTATIVE BLACK:  Thank you, Mr. President.  And I want to thank all of the folks that are standing behind me because it has been a team effort.  When we talk about doing tax reform and the Tax Reform and Jobs Cut Act[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act], that is what the American people are going to benefit by. 

 

And as Tim has just said, it is the average American -- that's the reason why we did this tax reform.  We looked at those right in the middle, those families that need the assistance and the help and the relief to be able to live their lives the way we have promised with the American Dream.

 

It is such an honor to stand here with the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, who have been an integral part in making sure that this happened.

 

I want to thank Kevin Brady, who I know -- hours and hours and hour -- worked hard to make this happen in what was, really, a short period of time.

 

And some of the folks that are being left out right now, and I know we've thanked them before, but I want to thank them publicly -- and that is all of the staff that has worked so hard, in both the House and the Senate to make this happen.  (Applause.)

 

Now we can say "Merry Christmas" to the American people, because we are giving them a huge gift for Christmas -- a break in these taxes and an opportunity for our jobs to grow and to give them a bigger paycheck.  And so I want to say thank you to Mr. President.  Thank you, President Trump, for allowing us to have you as our President and to make America great again.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Diane, very much.  And we can say "Merry Christmas" again.  People are saying "Merry Christmas" again, and we like the sound.

 

I want to ask Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan to come up from Alaska.  They've been really working.  And if Don Young is here -- and I think he's around here.  The three of them.  Come here.  Come here.  Dan, get over here, Dan.  Lisa.

 

SENATOR MURKOWSKI:  Mr. President, I don't know if you recognize -- this is a very historic day, of course -- but it's also the beginning of Winter Solstice.  Now it doesn't feel like it right now, but the Winter Solstice is the shortest day -- the darkest day. 

 

And for us, in Alaska, we've had some pretty dark days recently.  But with passage of this tax bill, with passage finally, almost 40 years later, to allow us to open up the 1002 area -- this is a bright day for Alaska.  This is bright day for America.  (Applause.)

 

So we thank you for that.  We thank you for that.  Think about it -- 31 years, we've been working on tax reform; 38 years, now, to open up ANWR.  This has been a multigenerational fight, and I look to some of our friends from Alaska who have come 5,000 miles to be here for the vote last night and today.  (Applause.)

 

To those who live there, to those who raise their families there, and to those who are looking to live for generations, know that our promise to you, today, is a bright future; one where we care for our environment, where we care for our people, and we also care for our country in providing a resource that is needed not only by the United States, by Alaskans, but by our friends and allies.

 

This, Mr. President, is what energy dominance is all about.  So let's go.  (Applause.)

 

SENATOR SULLIVAN:  Well, Mr. President, I want to thank you and your administration.  I want to thank Secretary Zinke, who's doing a great job.  But Senator Murkowski said it very well, this administration has come in and recognized this incredible, incredible resource that we have in our nation.  Developing our energy is good for jobs, it's good for energy security, it's good for manufacturing, it's good for the environment because we have the highest standards in the world, and it's very, very good for our foreign policy and national security.

 

Mr. President, sir, you released your national security strategy just a couple days ago.  And in there, you talk about the economy -- which is what this tax bill is all about -- but you also talk about energy dominance.  And I want to thank you.  I want to thank you on behalf of all Alaskans and the American people because it's the right policy.  And we're finally, finally doing it.

 

Thank you, sir.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Don.

 

REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG:  Thank you, Mr. President.  I want to thank all these guys standing behind me, these ladies, the people that helped me do this.  This is 37 years I tried to get this passed.  It proves one thing:  Perseverance overcomes intelligence any day of the year.  (Laughter.)

 

But I want to thank the President. 

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Don.

 

REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG:  I want to thank you, Mr. President.  And my two senators -- this is a team that can't be beat.  We'll do what's right for Alaska.  This bill does what's right for this nation.  And "The Great Land" will be great again.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  He's a pretty popular guy.  He's pretty good.

 

I want to ask Orrin Hatch, a special friend of mine, I can tell you that.  Somebody that spoke really well of me when it wasn't exactly the easiest thing to do.  He was just always in there, always fighting for all of us, and did a fantastic job as chairman.  Orrin, say a few words, please.  (Applause.)

 

SENATOR HATCH:  Well, Mr. President, I have to say that you're living up to everything I thought you would.  You're one heck of a leader, and we're all benefitting from it.  This bill could not have passed without you.  It couldn't have passed without the Alaskan delegation.  It couldn't have passed without the leadership in the House and the Senate -- Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell -- and the other leaders as well.

 

All I can say is, is that we're making headway.  This is just the beginning.  If you stop and think about it, this President hasn't even been in office for a year, and look at all the things that he's been able to get done -- by sheer will, in many ways.

 

I just hope that we all get behind him every way we can, and we'll get this country turned around in ways that will benefit the whole world, but, above all, benefit our people and bring us all to a realization of how really great America really is and how the rest of the world depends on us.

 

I love this country.  I came from very humble roots.  And I have to say, that this is one of the great privileges of my life to stand here on the White House lawn with the President of the United States, who I love and appreciate so much, and with these wonderful colleagues and Cabinet members who stand behind us. 

 

And to see all of you and realize that you care too.  All I can say is that God loves this country.  We all know it.  We wouldn't be where we are without Him.  And we love all of you.  And we're going to keep fighting, and we're going to make this the greatest presidency that we've seen, not only in generations, but maybe ever.

 

God bless all of you.  (Applause.)

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Orrin.  Thank you.  Boy, was that good.  Paul Ryan just said, "How good was that?"  (Laughter.)

 

Another very special man worked so hard, knows it inside out and backwards -- Kevin Brady.  (Applause.)

 

REPRESENTATIVE BRADY:  Thank you.  Okay, guys.  People are getting a little -- thank you, Mr. President.  This is a historic day.  It's an exciting day.  And I knew I was going to be here with you to mark this momentous occasion, so I wore my Houston Astros tie because they're still the champion of the World Series.  (Laughter.)  I figured, today, you would give me some slack on that.

 

Look, this is a historic day, in so many ways, and it didn't happen just by itself.  People often ask, when did you know?  When did you know tax reform could be achieved in America for the first time in 31 years?  And my answer is always the same -- November 8th, when, President Trump, you were elected President of the United States.  That's when I knew it was real.  (Applause.)

 

And when you put together the great ideas on tax reform, from inside and outside Congress -- and I see many of you here today with us -- remarkable leadership and courage from the men and women behind me in the Senate, and especially my colleagues in the House.  When you put together remarkable leadership in the House and the Senate, the work that was done in the White House -- Gary and Steve, Vice President Pence -- and Mr. President, your willingness to make this your commitment to go across the country to sell the need for tax reform and then stay at the table with us and on the phone with us, to get this done.  But for your leadership, we would not be here today.  So thank you so much.  (Applause.)

 
And let me finish by speaking directly to the American people.  There are three dates you need to put on your calendar.  The first is New Year's Day.  Because on New Year's, our country will have a new tax code for a new era of American prosperity -- New Year's Day.  (Applause.)
 
In February, look to your paychecks.  Hard-working Americans will see the result of the hard work of this President and this Congress to make this tax reform possible.  It will show in your paychecks.

And then, April 15th -- that hated day.  (Laughter.)  This April 15th will be the last time you ever file your taxes under this horrible, broken tax code, because you'll have a new one for the future of your family and your small business.  (Applause.)

So this is a great day for our country.  A great day for our economy and a great day for America.  Thank you, Mr.  President.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Did a fantastic job.  And another man who with us all the way -- no matter when I called, he was there or he would get back within minutes -- Kevin McCarthy.  (Applause.)

     MAJORITY LEADER MCCARTHY:  To the President and Vice President: During that campaign, you listened to voices no one else was listening to.  You listened to those that were trying to get a pay raise; or that parent that was fighting for their children; or to that person who always dreamed of being an entrepreneur and creating a small business, like you did, Mr. President.  And you know what?  For all those people, you heard them.

     We would not be standing here today if it wasn't for you.  Doesn't matter if you were overseas fighting for America.  So many people back here got your phone call, fighting for tax reform.  (Laughter.)  This is a big day for America.  This is America's comeback.  (Applause.)

Come February, check your check, because that will be the pay raise of the vote for Donald Trump.  That will be the beginning of the next century -- America's century.

Thank you, and God bless.  (Applause.)

     THE PRESIDENT:  So I just want to conclude by saying this will indeed be a very big day when people look back at our country.  It's a whole different attitude, a whole different way.

And I really want to end by looking back and thanking all of those people standing behind me that worked for years.  This was the culmination of a few months work, but they've been working on getting this done -- whether it's Mitch, or Paul, or Kevin, or Kevin, or Orrin -- they have been working on this for years -- years and years.  And I just want to turn around and I want to thank them all.  They are very, very special people.

     Thank you very much everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

                             END                3:36 P.M.  EST

The White House
December 20, 2017

THE TAX CUTS ACT FOLLOWS THROUGH ON PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S PROMISE OF MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS

“We’re going to cut taxes for the middle class, make the tax code simpler and more fair for everyday Americans, and we are going to bring back the jobs and wealth that have left our country — and most people thought left our country for good.” – President Donald J. Trump

 

TAX CUTS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES: The Tax Cuts Act means less money taken out of Americans’ paychecks.

·         The Tax Cuts Act provides $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, $3.2 trillion, or nearly 60 percent, of which go to families.

·         The Tax Cuts Act nearly doubles the standard deduction.

o   For individuals, the standard deduction will be increased from $6,500 to $12,000.

o   For single parents, the standard deduction will be increased from $9,550 to $18,000.

o   For married couples, the standard deduction will be increased from $13,000 to $24,000.

·         The vast majority of American families will now be able to file their taxes on a single page because they lower taxes by claiming the standard deduction.

·         American families will see their Child Tax Credit doubled to $2,000 per child under age 17.

o   Families will receive a new $500 tax credit for dependents age 17 or older.

o   The full Child Tax Credit will now be available for families with incomes of up to $200,000 for single households and incomes of up to $400,000 for married households.

o   Lower and Middle-Income families will benefit from a 40 percent increase in the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.

·         The Tax Cuts Act will repeal Obamacare’s burdensome individual mandate.

o   The repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate will provide relief to households with income below $50,000, which made up nearly 80 percent of the households that paid the mandate penalty in 2016.

·         The vast majority of family farms and businesses will be exempt from the estate tax.

·         Investments in education will be protected under the Tax Cuts Act.

o   Families will now be able to use up to $10,000 from 529 college savings accounts on primary and secondary education.

o   Tax-free stipends for graduate students will be maintained.

o   Student loan interest will continue to be deductible.

·         The Tax Cuts Act preserves tax benefits important to American families.

o   The Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers will be preserved.

o   The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit will be preserved.

o   The Adoption Expense Tax Credit will be preserved.

o   Retirement savings tax benefits will be preserved.

 

PRO-GROWTH REFORM FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES: The Tax Cuts Act enacts pro-growth reform, putting American businesses on a level playing field with foreign competitors.

·         America’s corporate tax rate will be lowered from the highest in the developed world to below the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average.

o   The corporate tax rate will be cut from 35 percent to 21 percent, below the OECD average of 22.5 percent.

·         Businesses will receive $1.8 trillion in total tax cuts, spurring economic growth and generating more revenue.

o   The Council of Economic Advisors estimates that these tax cuts will grow the economy an additional 3 percent.

o   This economic growth will generate even greater economic opportunity for all Americans.

·         The Tax Cuts Act provides $415 billion in additional tax cuts for S corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors.

o   More than 90 percent of all American businesses are organized as one of these “pass through” entities.

o   Owners of these businesses will be able to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income.

·         Businesses will be able to deduct 100 percent of the cost of their capital investments for the next five years.

·         The Tax Cuts Act will get rid of our outdated worldwide taxation system, which penalizes companies headquartered in the United States when they bring foreign profits back home. 

o   Companies will be able to bring back future profits without paying additional taxes.

·         A one-time tax will be imposed on corporate earnings stashed overseas, ending the incentive for companies to keep their profits outside of the U.S.

o   A one-time tax of 15.5 percent on cash and cash equivalents will be imposed, as well as a one-time 8 percent tax on illiquid assets.

 

ELIMINATING SPECIAL INTEREST TAX BREAKS: The Tax Cuts Act will eliminate dozens of special interest tax breaks and loopholes.

·         The Tax Cuts Act will raise $4 trillion in revenue by getting rid of dozens of special interest tax breaks and closing loopholes for corporations and wealthy individuals.

o   The revenue generated by eliminating these tax breaks and loopholes will be used to help offset the tax cuts for American workers, families, and businesses.  

·         Numerous tax breaks and loopholes exploited by special interests will be eliminated.

o   A 20 percent excise tax will be imposed on stock compensation when a company uses corporate inversion to avoid U.S. taxes.

o   The deduction for local lobbying expenses will be eliminated.

o   The loophole used to deduct executive compensation over $1 million will be eliminated.

o   A 21 percent excise tax will be imposed on compensation over $1 million paid to executives at tax-exempt organizations.

o   Members of Congress will no longer be able to deduct their living expenses.

 

###
The White House
1:05 p.m.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Final Passage of Tax Legislation

I promised the American people a big, beautiful tax cut for Christmas.  With final passage of this legislation, that is exactly what they are getting.  I would like to thank the members of Congress who supported this historic bill, which represents an extraordinary victory for American families, workers, and businesses.  Unemployment continues to fall, the stock market is at a record high, and wages will soon be on the rise.  By cutting taxes and reforming the broken system, we are now pouring rocket fuel into the engine of our economy.  America is back to winning again, and we’re growing like never before.  There is a great spirit of optimism sweeping across our land.  Americans can once again rest assured that our brightest days are still to come.

###

President Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
12/20/2017 9:32 am
The Tax Cuts are so large and so meaningful, and yet the Fake News is working overtime to follow the lead of their friends, the defeated Dems, and only demean. This is truly a case where the results will speak for themselves, starting very soon. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!


Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
December 20, 2017

Congress Passes Once-in-a-Generation Tax Reform

‘When the final version of this historic law passes the House later today, it will await the president’s signature. Then, families and small businesses - like so many in my home state of Kentucky - can begin to enjoy the benefits. Our constituents called out for relief from the Obama economy. Congress delivered.’

WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the passage of an historic tax code overhaul:

“Last night, the United States Senate accomplished something remarkable. After years of work, dozens of hearings, and an open process, we passed an historic overhaul of our nation’s tax code. It will deliver real relief to families and small businesses across the nation. We passed tax reform to spur the American economy; To encourage job creation and grow economic opportunity; To bring jobs and investment home; And to put more money into the pockets of the hardworking men and women we represent.

“We voted to repeal Obamacare’s individual mandate tax, so that low- and middle-income families are not forced to purchase something they either don’t want or can’t afford. And we voted to responsibly develop more of Alaska’s oil and gas potential, strengthening our economy and our national security in the process.

“I would like to commend my colleagues in the Senate for their work to pass these historic reforms and bring our tax code into the twenty-first century. I would like to extend special thanks to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a skilled legislator whose expertise was essential to shepherding this legislation through a challenging process while faced with complete obstruction.

“Thanks also to Chairman Mike Enzi for his assistance, and to Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, who worked tirelessly to bring the people of Alaska a victory on energy exploration for which they have been waiting for almost forty years. I am also grateful to the other Senate conferees – Senators Cornyn, Thune, Portman, Scott, and Toomey – who worked day and night to get this legislation across the finish line. And of course, in addition to Senator Hatch, his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee deserve our gratitude as well: Senators Burr, Cassidy, Crapo, Grassley, Heller, Isakson, and Roberts. This could not have happened without them.

“Of course, a great deal of credit goes to President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their dedicated White House team. Their efforts were absolutely essential to this process, and we are proud to have worked together to deliver on a key part of the president’s agenda. And it goes without saying that tax reform would have been impossible without Speaker Ryan, Chairman Brady, and the members of the House who share our commitment to make taxes lower, simpler, and fairer. I am proud to call them my colleagues.

“When the final version of this historic law passes the House later today, it will await the president’s signature. Then, families and small businesses – like so many in my home state of Kentucky – can begin to enjoy the benefits. Our constituents called out for relief from the Obama economy. Congress delivered.”



Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
December 19, 2017

Schumer Remarks at Stakeout on the GOP Tax Bill

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today released the following statement regarding the vote on the GOP Tax Bill:

I’m proud to be joined by my colleagues Senators Wyden; ranking member of finance, Senator Murray; ranking member of HELP, and Senator Sanders; ranking member of budget.  Now, our Republican colleagues have indicated they intend to schedule votes later today on their final tax bill. They will rue the day they did it.

Given the bill’s substance, it’s no surprise they’re in such a rush. 11th hour backroom deals have managed to only make their bad bill even worse.  They don’t want to discuss it, they don’t want to have sunlight shed on it, they don’t want anyone to know what’s in it because it is so, so bad and the public knows it. 

It’s a bill that’s cutting taxes on the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations and as long as it cuts taxes so heavily on the wealthiest Americans, it should be so that not one middle class person should see a tax increase.

But their bill includes taxes on lots of middle class people. There’s no reason a single family should pay more when every single corporation pays.  

How can Republicans defend this? The only people who want it are their very wealthy paymasters who seem to run the Republican Party these days and they’re running it into the ground. 

The longer the bill sees the light of day, the more the American people find to dislike.

A new poll this morning from CNN found a majority of Americans against this bill. Why? 

The bill provides crumbs and tax hikes for middle-class families in this country and a Christmas gift to major corporations and billionaire investors.

So let me be clear: This tax bill will be an anchor around the ankles of every Republican. If they haven’t learned it yet, they are going to learn it next November.

Republicans will rue the day they passed this bill and the American people will never let them forget it.

What has been sold as a job creator and wage booster will, of course, do little of either, as companies are already initiating stock buybacks worth hundreds of millions of dollars instead of hiring more workers and raising wages.

Ultimately, the Republicans have taken what they call a “once in a generation” opportunity on tax reform and squandered it on corporate welfare and tax cuts for the rich.

According to the Tax Policy Center, the top 1% of earners in our country get 83% of the benefits. The top 1% get 83% of the benefits. What about the other 99% of us?

The raw numbers are staggering. It is an indictment of the Republican tax plan. It is an indictment of where the Republican Party is headed: into the arms of their billionaire paymasters.

The numbers reveal what this bill truly is – a tax scam that will rob middle-class families to pay for corporate tax breaks.


Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
December 19, 2017

Parliamentarian Determines Three Provisions in Republican Tax Bill Are Impermissible

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 – The Senate parliamentarian advised Tuesday that three provisions in the Republican tax bill violate the Byrd rule, including a provision allowing for the use of 529 savings accounts for home-schooling expenses, the short title: “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” and part of the criteria used to determine whether the endowments of private universities are subject to the legislation’s new excise tax. These provisions may be struck from the conference report absent 60 votes.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Budget Committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking member of the Finance Committee, issued a joint statement in response to the decision:

“In the mad dash to provide tax breaks for their billionaire campaign contributors, our Republican colleagues forgot to comply with the rules of the Senate. We applaud the parliamentarian for determining that three provisions in this disastrous bill are in violation of the Byrd rule.  It is our intention to raise a point of order to remove these provisions from the conference report and require the House to vote on this bill again. Instead of providing tax breaks to the wealthiest people and most profitable corporations, we need to rebuild the disappearing middle class.”

Contacts: Josh Miller-Lewis  (Budget)
Rachel McCleery  (Finance)

Speaker Paul Ryan

"This is a good day for America."

“I want to start off by thanking the American people, our constituents, for sending us here to do this work for them. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress has passed in decades to help the American worker, to help grow the American economy. This is profound change, and this is change that is going to put our country on the right path.

“For all those millions men and women in America who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, who are struggling to get ahead—help is on the way. For all those businesses that are tied with one hand behind their back in this global economy, having a hard time competing—help is on the way.

“I want to thank Chairman Kevin Brady. I want to thank all the men and women who made this possible. This has been a long work in progress. And what this achievement marks is a promise that this majority made, and a promise this majority is keeping. We said in 2016 that it would take real tax reform for families and businesses to get the American economy growing, and we were serious. The American people placed their trust in us to do this work for them. And today we’re making good on that promise. We’re fulfilling that promise. And this promise being kept today is one of the most important things we could do to get the U.S. economy growing faster, to help get people bigger paychecks, to have a fairer tax system, and to simplify the system so we can have more peace of mind.

“So Kevin said it the right way: On January 1, Americans are going to wake up with a new tax code. In February, they’re going to see withholdings go down so they see bigger paychecks. And April 15 will be the last day they have to comply with the old, bad system.

“This is a good day for America. This is a good day for workers. This is a great day for growth. And we’re very excited about this moment.”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 - 2:30pm

U.S. Chamber President Applauds House Passage of Final Tax Reform Legislation

‘We’re On the Cusp of a Historic Moment,’ says Donohue

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today issued the following statement after the House voted to pass the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:”

“We applaud each of the representatives who voted today for pro-growth reform that grows the economy and improves the lives of America’s families, workers, and job creators. Our country is on the cusp of a historic moment, one we haven’t seen in 31 years. Now, we look to the Senate to quickly pass this important legislation and deliver the competitive tax code Americans have been waiting for. As we all know, failure is not an option.”

The Chamber has judged any tax reform package on whether it improves economic growth; its principles for pro-growth tax reform can be viewed here.

Americans for Tax Fairness

PUBLIC INTEREST GROUP STATEMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE TRUMP-GOP TAX BILL

As of December 19, 2017

AFL-CIO, William Samuel, Director of the Government Affairs Department

“This tax bill is a job killer that gives huge tax breaks to wealthy corporations that outsource jobs at the expense of working people. … Working people will be stuck with the bill for this wasteful tax boondoggle. We will pay the price in the form of outsourced jobs, because this bill eliminates U.S. taxation of corporate profits earned from offshore operations. Working people will pay the price in taxes, as 70 million households making less than $100,000 will pay higher taxes by 2027. We will pay the price in the form of Medicaid and Medicare benefit cuts, as Republican leaders have already announced their plans to use the deficit they have created as an excuse to cut benefits for working people. Working people will pay the price in the form of job-killing cuts to education, infrastructure, and other essential services that will result from lost federal revenues and from limiting the deduction for state and local taxes.”

Alliance for Retired Americans, Richard Fiesta, Executive Director

“Retirees see this tax plan for what it is: a windfall for big corporations, real estate developers, hedge fund managers and the very wealthiest Americans. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center reports that fully 83% of the cuts go to the top 1%. The 4.4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans are committed to holding the House members who voted for this accountable next November. We will not rest in exposing this scam tax bill.”

American Bridge, Shripal Shah, Vice President

“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress just got one step closer to selling out middle class Americans to give big corporations and their wealthy campaign donors a Christmas gift. They're jamming through a sham bill that raises taxes on millions of middle class families, makes health care more expensive, cuts Medicare, and skyrockets our deficit, all to give the super-wealthy huge tax breaks. Put simply, it's a complete betrayal of working Americans, and they will hold Republicans accountable for breaking their promises.”

AFSCME, Scott Frey, Director of Federal Government Affairs

“This irresponsible legislation would worsen current wealth inequality through regressive, unneeded, trillion-dollar tax giveaways to the wealthiest 1 percent and large profitable corporations. It reduces tax rates and creates new tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires and encourages multinational conglomerates to send U.S. jobs and profits offshore to lower tax countries and tax havens. … AFSCME is extremely concerned that this bill will create new fiscal problems for state and local governments. It caps the more than 100-year-old federal itemized tax deduction for state and local government taxes, including income tax, sales tax, and real estate or property tax. This new $10,000 cap makes it more difficult for states and localities to finance and deliver public education, health care, child care and other vital public services.”

American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, President

“America is supposed to be about lifting all boats and giving everyone a shot at the American dream. Instead, President Trump and congressional Republicans are creating a new Gilded Age that prioritizes the wealthy over wage earners. Not only does this bill give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations at a time of record profits, and on a day the Dow opened to another high, but Republicans will pay for these breaks by raising taxes on working people and slashing the deduction for state and local taxes, which will cut funding for public schools, police, and fire services.”

Americans for Financial Reform/Take on Wall Street Campaign, Lisa Donner, Executive Director, AFR, and Porter McConnell, TOWS, Campaign Manager

“The majority in Congress is making a corrupt bargain with Wall Street and wealthy elites. At a time when millions of everyday Americans are struggling with stagnant wages, Republicans have decided to use the tax code to reward its contributors.” (Donner)

“Polls have shown that the Republican tax bill is deeply unpopular. Voters recognize it for what it is: a giant holiday gift to Wall Street and the super-rich that the rest of us will be paying off for decades. Not even the administration’s own Treasury department was able to offer an economic justification for gifting tax cuts to corporations and wealthy individuals.” (McConnell)

Americans for Tax Fairness, Frank Clemente, Executive Director

“This monstrosity is not tax reform. It's a money grab by the richest 1% and the wealthiest corporations, period. It will be paid for by raising taxes on millions of working families and raiding Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other critical services they cherish and depend on. Plainly speaking: a vote for this bill is a vote to inflict harm on millions of hardworking families to please corporate campaign donors and the six thousand lobbyists who pushed for it.”

American Sustainable Business Council, David Levine, President, CEO and Co-Founder

“This bill fails as corporate tax reform because it cuts the wrong taxes at the wrong time. Cutting corporate and pass-through taxes now, during this strong business cycle, will not achieve the growth Republicans say it will. Instead, the plan will boost the deficit, risk inflation and require future cuts to infrastructure, research, and education investments that all businesses rely on as key building blocks. Investors will line their pockets, while very few companies will invest in employees. Wall Street wins while the real economy loses.”

Coalition on Human Needs, Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director

“Today the tax bill Grinch stole Christmas and handed it over to corporations and the wealthiest Americans. This House vote was a lavish holiday gift for the rich, and it will be a gift that keeps on giving for years to come. … And the deficit it opens up is already being used as an excuse to threaten cuts in vital programs like Medicaid, SNAP/food stamps, and aid for people with disabilities. Services of all kinds will be hit: health care, education, road maintenance, housing assistance, child care, protection against epidemics and environmental damage, Meals on Wheels, and much more. Low- and middle-income families will in 2027 pay higher taxes and lose services; low-income families with children will lose the most. This will be yet another way low-income people will pay for tax cuts for the rich and corporations.”  

Communications Workers of America, Shane Larson, Legislative Director

“H.R. 1 would also provide strong new incentives for companies to move money and jobs overseas. Under the bill, companies that shift operations like call centers overseas could potentially face no U.S. taxes on their overseas earnings. It makes no sense to provide additional tax incentives for companies to move good jobs overseas, as this bill does. … Finally, although the bill's supporters promised numerous times that it would not benefit the wealthy or Wall Street, the opposite is the case. Instead of closing the carried interest loophole—which allows predatory private equity and hedge funds to pay a lower tax rate than teachers, nurses or call center customer service representatives—it opens yet another loophole for these same multimillionaires by allowing them to reclassify their businesses as ‘pass-through’ corporations subject to a lower tax rate."

Center for American Progress, Neera Tanden, President and CEO

“The bill adds to President Donald Trump’s destructive and petty sabotage of the ACA by taking away health care from millions of Americans to pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans. The promise for so-called tax reform that would make the system fairer and simpler has been replaced by legislation that explodes loopholes and makes the tax code more, not less, complex. And this proposal will destroy America’s last great wilderness by turning the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into an industrial oil field—a measure that has nothing to do with our tax code but everything to do with securing necessary votes.”

Center for Economic and Policy Research, Dean Baker, Co-Director

“The Republican response to four decades of upward redistribution of wealth before-tax income is a $1.5 trillion tax plan to hand over even more income to the richest people in the country. Most of the people responsible for this bill rank among the richest one percent, and they constructed a bill that is tailor-made to make them even richer. This includes provisions on the estate tax, pass-through income, and special provisions for the real estate and oil industry. … The original promise was a tax reform bill that would benefit the middle class. This bill is not reform and does not benefit the middle class. It makes the code far more complicated with its special interest provisions and the beneficiaries are overwhelmingly the highest income people in the country.”

Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, President

“As 2.3 billion Christians around our world prepare to celebrate the birth of a poor baby in Bethlehem called Jesus who they believe is the Son of God, the Congress and the President of the United States have declared war on poor babies, children, youths and families. They are working feverishly to plunder and emasculate the basic survival safety net over 13.2 million poor and millions more low and moderate income children and families need to survive: their health care, food, housing, early childhood supports, education and so much more. Why? In order to give massive tax cuts to billionaires and millionaires and powerful corporations.”

CREDO Action, Murshed Zaheed, Political Director

“Trump’s Republican lap dogs in the House have, yet again, demonstrated their steadfast commitment to delivering huge payouts to their super rich and special interest friends. Now, House Republicans are hand-delivered an opportunity to jam through the Senate—as soon as tonight—their own special version of this morally corrupt, cruel and barbaric legislation, without meaningful hearings, and while effectively silencing the voices of the majority of Americans,” he continued, adding, “every member of Congress who voted for the Trump Tax Scam will forever be remembered for hurting our communities and selling out the American people to big corporations and the super-rich mucking it up in Trump’s swamp.”

Economic Policy Institute, Josh Bivens, Research Director

“The tax bill approved by the House and headed to the Senate today represents nothing short of wholesale looting by the Republican Party, on behalf of the wealthiest Americans and large corporations. Despite claims that it will trickle-down to working people, there is no evidence that corporations will do anything with the money they save in taxes other than reward shareholders with more dividends and executives with higher salaries—a fact that many high-profile CEOs have admitted to. When fully-phased in, the bill will give 83 percent of its benefits to the top 1 percent. Incredibly, it raises taxes on half of working families. To add further injury, the bill kneecaps the Affordable Care Act by eliminating the individual mandate—destabilizing health insurance markets, raising health insurance premiums, and leaving 13 million people without health insurance.”

End Citizens United, Tiffany Muller, President

“Just in time for the holidays, Republicans have delivered a gift-wrapped bill to their mega-donors. It’s a shameful display of the rigged system in Washington, where politicians take money from wealthy special interests and in turn advance their interests in Congress. Make no mistake, this bill is going to hurt middle class families—the backbone of America. Voters won’t forget this one. The 2018 elections are around the corner and ECU will hold them accountable. Seventeen incumbent Republicans on End Citizens United’s (ECU) “Big Money 20” list voted for the tax bill. These seventeen incumbents benefited from $11.7 million in spending from special interest groups pushing for tax reform, and voted in favor of their mega-donors’ interests while voting against reform measures to unrig the system.”

Every Voice, David Donnelly, President and CEO

“This bill is nothing more than an early Christmas present to the wealthy donors and corporations who Republicans will now have to rely on to save them from this deeply unpopular bill come reelection season. President Trump and his allies in Congress are blatantly taking money from hardworking families and putting it in the pockets of big donors who fill their campaign coffers. This is our broken, corrupt campaign finance system at its worst. If we don’t fix our broken political system, this will hardly be the last time politicians in Washington side with big donors over their constituents. Americans are fed up with a government that doesn’t work for them and they deserve a fairer, more just political system in which the voices of everyday people can he heard above those of big campaign donors.”

Healthcare for America Now (HCAN), Ethan Rome and Margarida Jorge, Co-Chairs

“This tax bill is a scam. It’s not about reforming the tax code or creating jobs—it’s about raising taxes on working families and taking away health care from children, seniors, and people with disabilities to increase the wealth of the top 1 percent and big corporations. The GOP is engineering a massive redistribution of wealth from low- and moderate-income families to wealthy individuals, Wall Street CEOS and corporations.”

Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Alan Essig, Executive Director

“During his inaugural address, President Trump gave a nod to widening income inequality and said he would focus on ‘forgotten Americans.’ But this tax bill proves this was nothing more than paying lip service to one of the most persistent problems of this generation. Research shows that nearly half of working families would have trouble scraping together $400 for a minor emergency. Instead of taking time to understand and explore this very real social issue, lawmakers have decided to use the federal tax code to funnel more of the nation’s wealth to the richest among us. Cake for the very rich and crumbs and trickle-down promises for the rest of us will not improve economic security for hardworking people.”

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW, Josh Nasser, Legislative Director

“This bill is a job killer, giving tax cuts to big corporations that outsource jobs Currently, the United States taxes all profits of U.S. corporations, whether earned in the United States or in a foreign country, at the same rate. Under this bill, a business that creates jobs on Main Street USA would pay U.S. taxes on its profits at a higher rate than a business that sends those same jobs overseas. Often, no U.S. taxes would be paid on the profits the corporations earn from active operations in a foreign country (as opposed to domestic profits that the company disguises as foreign profits with accounting gimmicks). H.R. 1 provides major incentives for companies to move jobs offshore instead of encouraging businesses to create more jobs in America.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Vanita Gupta, President and CEO

“As we head into this holiday season, one thing is clear: The partisan tax bill that Congress will vote on this week is a huge gift to corporations and the wealthiest one percent of Americans. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, this Republican bill will add $1.6 trillion to the deficit. And based on statements from Republican leadership, in 2018 we can expect the Republican Congress to try to slash essential programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps to pay for it. Women, people with disabilities, children, and people of color will be disproportionately harmed. We cannot let this happen.”

League of Conservation Voters, Gene Karpinski, President

“This tax bill would turn the pristine and sacred Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into an industrial oil field. This provision is somehow being packaged together with a tax bill that delivers a massive tax cut for millionaires, billionaires, and huge corporations, raises taxes on the middle class, and harms communities nationwide by likely resulting in cuts to safeguards for our air, water, lands, and wildlife. What’s more, the bill’s tax provisions put our clean energy future at risk."

Main Street Alliance, Amanda Ballantyne, National Director

“Loaded with complex new loopholes and special interest kick-backs, this bill betrays the economic interests and wellbeing everyday Americans, while lavishing outrageous, permanent benefits on big corporations and the wealthy. This unconscionable bill is not the tax reform that Main Street needs. Main Street Alliance small business owners across the country have long advocated against this bill, which fails to provide real solutions for small businesses. Republicans in Congress squandered an opportunity to close loopholes and set up a fairer tax code that could support improved infrastructure, education, healthcare investments and benefit small business owners.”

MoveOn.org Political Action, Ilya Sheyman, Executive Director

“Today’s tax vote is a bucket of gasoline thrown on the fire of out-of-control economic inequality. Millions of families will suffer if the GOP tax scam that prioritizes the interests of big corporations and the wealthy over everyone else becomes law—and dozens of Republican members of Congress will lose their jobs. … Every Senator should search their soul and listen to the calls of their constituents—if you value your constituents over wealthy corporations and billionaire donors, you still have the chance to reject this tax giveaway to the rich.”

National Education Association, Lily Eskelsen García, President

“Public schools have not fully recovered from the Great Recession. Now, by eliminating the state and local tax deduction, Congress just voted to blow a hole in state and local revenue to support public education, potentially risking the jobs of more than 130,000 educators, exposing public school students to serious and potentially damaging consequences—ballooning class sizes and overcrowded classrooms that deprive students of one-on-one attention.”

National Women’s Law Center, Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO

“Today’s vote betrays everyday families across the country. Faced with cutting taxes for families or the wealthiest Americans, Republicans sided with the wealthy. Given the choice between making tax cuts permanent or temporary, they handed permanent cuts to corporations and only temporary, token cuts to families. To pay for the massive cuts that will benefit the richest, they eviscerated the Affordable Care Act—which will cause over 13 million people to lose their health insurance coverage. And they’ve already begun to discuss their plans to gut critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and nutrition assistance that millions of people depend on to survive. We will never accept the GOP’s agenda of giving tax cuts for the rich while decimating these vital programs. These tax cuts must be repealed.”

Oxfam America, Gawain Kripke, Policy Director

“The tax bill passed today is a reckless and immoral looting of the US treasury by the 1%. … It will take a while to comprehend all of the special gifts the bill gives to clients of the more than ten thousand lobbyists who lobbied on this bill. But one thing is clear: it will significantly increase poverty and inequality here in the US and around the world. Make no mistake, the negative impacts will not be contained by our borders. This bill will further encourage offshoring of jobs and the tricks, schemes, and tax havens used by corporations that already sap an estimated $100 billion from poor countries—revenue that should go towards building schools, bridges and hospitals. In fact, this bill makes it all worse.”

Patriotic Millionaires, Morris Pearl, Chair

“This bill isn’t just cruel, it’s un-American. No one in their right mind could possibly believe that the middle class has too much and the rich and powerful have too little in today’s America, but somehow the majority of the House just voted to give the rich even more, at the expense of everyone else. It’s a massive handout to the wealthy at the expense of the rest of the country, and every Member of the House knows it. Every Representative who voted for this bill just sold out their constituents. Whether it was for donors, or for their personal gain, or whatever, the result is clear: the rich get richer, and the middle class gets screwed.”

People For the American Way, Diallo Brooks, Senior Director of Outreach and Public Engagement

“For Black Americans still recovering from the Great Recession, the GOP tax bill will be devastating. There is no way to sugarcoat the largest wealth redistribution to the ultra-rich our nation has ever seen—this is going to be horrible. The GOP tax bill is an attack on African American communities across this country. It threatens the healthcare and essential social programs that most benefit our communities all to finance tax breaks for the rich. Just a decade after the Great Recession wiped out half of Black wealth, this bill is another huge blow to Black working families.”

Progressive Congress Action Fund

“This blatant attempt to benefit the ultra-wealthy and corporate cronies at the expense of working families will go down as history as the least popular piece of legislation in recent memory. At every stage of the process, the Republicans have attempted to mislead Americans about what the bill contains, while trying to pass this heinous piece of legislation through sneaky, secret, and misleading tactics, even while millions of Americans have expressed their opposition to this horrendous legislation. Most if not all of the Congressmembers voting on the bill have not even been able to read it in its entirety. The bill directly hurts ordinary working families to pay for a giant tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. The bill even includes incentives for corporations to send jobs overseas.”

Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, President

“Repeal and replace. That’s the mantra that will haunt the Republicans ramming through the monstrous tax bill plundering regular Americans and our commonwealth in order to give aid and comfort to multinational corporations and the super-rich. This tax scam is an offense against democratic values, human decency, transparent and orderly process, justice, honest economics, the poor, solidarity and common sense. … Corporations crave certainty and stability. Well, here’s fair warning that they should not make investment decisions based on this tax scam, which will be repealed in response to overwhelming demand from the American people.”

32BJ SEIU, Héctor Figueroa, President

“This hugely unpopular Republican tax plan is a giant Christmas present to the super wealthy and corporations while most taxpayers get delayed misery in the form of deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and education in the near future. This disastrous plan is an insult to the intelligence of the American people and proof that Republicans in Congress are there to shovel billions to the super-rich. Republicans in Congress believe that if they offer us a nickel now, we won't notice them rob our homes next week.”

Small Business Majority, John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO

“We’re disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to pass legislation that blows a $1.5 trillion hole in the deficit while leaving small businesses behind. … This hastily drawn tax plan gives a whopping 77 percent of the pass-through reduction benefit to the top 2.6 percent of firms, meaning the likes of hedge fund managers and wealthy lawyers would be the primary beneficiaries. Indeed, the financial benefits to a pass-through entity making $500,000 are 20 times the benefits to a business making $75,000. What’s more, a priority of this legislation has been to slash corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent even though only five percent of small businesses pay corporate taxes.”

Tax March, Nicole Gill, Executive Director

“With blazing arrogance, Republicans are jamming their partisan tax bill through Congress, despite overwhelming opposition from the American people. … While wealthy individuals, corporations and Republican donors celebrate tonight, working families across the country will have to figure out how they will pay an even bigger tax bill. Make no mistake, we stand with the majority of the American people that oppose this bill and are prepared to fight tooth and nail to repeal the Trump Tax. Republicans who voted for this measure are now on notice: we will hold you accountable in 2018 and beyond.”

United for a Fair Economy’s Responsible Wealth Project

“400 wealthy and upper income members of Responsible Wealth and Voices for Progress delivered a letter to Congress in October saying that any tax changes should be revenue neutral, and should not increase economic inequality. This tax plan fails on both accounts—adding over $1 Trillion to the deficit, and giving 82% of its benefits to the top 1% of taxpayers, while leaving the bottom 60% worse off than before. Corporations and the wealthy are already sitting on piles of cash, so there is no economic benefit to giving them this added windfall. Worst of all, this bill will force 13 million people to lose health coverage, and will lead to cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, education and infrastructure investments that benefit the entire population, all to enrich the wealthy few. As Responsible Wealth member Abigail Disney said in her recent op-ed opposing the bill, ‘truly the only thing this bill will stimulate is more campaign contributions from wealthy donors.’”

United Steelworkers, Leo W. Gerard, International President

“At a time when the American people are calling for a new approach on trade, it’s amazing that lawmakers would vote for a package that will hurt America’s global manufacturing firms that have been decimated by unfair trade. Companies that have lost money because of dumping and subsidized products flooding into our market from countries like China would pay an additional cost under the Trump/Republican tax bill. That’s simply unacceptable. This legislation is a tax cut for the rich and powerful masquerading as reform. Tax reform is about choices: The conference report makes clear that the choice is to promote a return to Trickle-Down Economics. Rather than promoting growth from the ground up, the bill showers huge tax benefits on corporations and the wealthy. That orthodoxy has proven a resounding failure.”

Working Families Party, Dan Cantor, National Committee Chair

“Today the House of Representatives delivered its poisonous holiday package to Americans. It’s a so-called tax reform bill stuffed full of goodies for Wall Street and the wealthiest, and they’re sticking their greedy hands in our pockets to pay for it. Not since the age of monopolists and robber barons have we seen such naked avarice and disregard for the needs of Americans. The majority of Americans oppose the bill but legislators simply don’t care. Despite all evidence, Republicans are still lying, telling us that the bill is tax reform rather than outright theft. But Americans aren’t stupid. They’re showing how smart they are at the ballot box. From down ballot elections to major contests in New Jersey, Virginia, and Alabama, voters are rejecting Trumpian candidates and their Paul Ryan-style policies.”

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PRE-VOTE

SUPPORT
Americans for Limited Government
For Immediate Release                   Contact: Robert Romano
Dec. 19, 2017                                  

So-called Corker 'kickback' more fake news

Dec. 19, 2017, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement blasting media sources false reports that a provision was added at the last minute to the tax cut conference report to personally benefit the finances of Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.):

"Can the left-wing media get anything right? The so-called Corker kickback, allegations by the International Business Times that the pundits and reporters at the New York Times, New York Magazine, MSNBC, Huffington Post, Politico and virtually every left-wing media outlet repeated, is patently false. Again. When the ready-shoot-aim left-wing hate media ever learn to check their sources? A simple call to the Senate Finance Committee would have revealed that the provision was already a part of the House tax bill, which was debated on the floor of the House, of which Bob Corker is not a member. Anyone who took basic high school civics knows that a conference report incorporates ideas from both the House and the Senate, along with some other provisions that are mutually agreed upon. To claim in a last-ditch effort to submarine passage of the tax cut bill that something nefarious had occurred makes me question their intelligence, integrity or their ability to tell the truth. This is fake news."

OPPOSITION
Democratic National Committee

By The Numbers: If Republicans Win, American Taxpayers Lose

Republicans are already touting their tax bill as a win, but with a historically unpopular bill that gives most of the benefits to the top 1% and corporations, while more than half of Americans will face tax increases, it’s hard to see how this is a win. If Republicans “win,” then American taxpayers lose.
 
New polling continues to show American taxpayers oppose the Republican tax bill:
 
·         Just 33% of Americans say they favor Republican proposals to reform the tax code.
·         55% of Americans oppose the Republican tax bill, up 10 points since early November.
·         66% of Americans think the Republican tax bill would benefit the wealthy more than the middle class.
·         50% of Americans predict their taxes will go up, while just 14% say their taxes will go down.
 
And new analyses make it clear why:
 
·         More than half of all Americans would pay more in taxes by 2027.
·         70% of middle-income Americans would face tax increases by 2027.
·         The top 1% would get 83% of the bill’s benefits in 2027.
·         Everyone making under $75,000 on average would see a tax increase in 2027.
·         Americans making between $20,000 and $30,000 would face a massive 27% tax increase in 2027.
 
But apparently this is a “win” for Republicans.

Center for American Progress
Date: December 19, 2017
Contact: Allison Preiss

STATEMENT: CAP’s Neera Tanden: Congressional GOP Tax Scam One of the Most Immoral, Venal Pieces of Legislation I Have Ever Seen

Washington, D.C. — Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement on the tax scam legislation slated to be passed on party-line votes today in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate:

Working on the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2009 and 2010 was one of the greatest honors of my career. While passing the legislation was neither legislatively nor politically easy, the Obama White House did so because it was the right thing to do. Among the law’s many accomplishments, nearly 20 million Americans have gained health insurance since the law’s passage; more than 9 in 10 Americans now have coverage. As many as 129 million Americans—including 19 million children—who have some type of pre-existing health condition are protected from coverage denials and reduced benefits; 137 million Americans, including 55 million women, gained access to critical no-cost preventive services.

By contrast, the tax scam slated to be enacted today is one of the most immoral, venal pieces of legislation I have seen in my two decades working in policy and politics. It will deliver colossal tax cuts for wealthy corporations, millionaires, and billionaires, while millions of hardworking families will pay more. What benefits there will be for working- and middle-class families will be extremely modest and temporary, dwarfed by the massive giveaways to GOP donors and members of Congress themselves.

The bill adds to President Donald Trump’s destructive and petty sabotage of the ACA by taking away health care from millions of Americans to pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans. The promise for so-called tax reform that would make the system fairer and simpler has been replaced by legislation that explodes loopholes and makes the tax code more, not less, complex. And this proposal will destroy America’s last great wilderness by turning the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into an industrial oil field—a measure that has nothing to do with our tax code but everything to do with securing necessary votes.

President Trump and congressional Republican leadership aren’t being shy about broadcasting their two-step “starve the beast” playbook. Today, they’ll deliver massive tax breaks for the richest Americans, while raising taxes on many working- and middle-class Americans; and next, once they have exploded the deficit despite their years of so-called deficit hawkishness, they’ll work to take away your Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other essentials that working families turn to for basic living standards.

This deeply unpopular bill is a Pyrrhic victory for President Trump and the majority party. We will remember this vote that helped conservative donors by hurting middle-class Americans—and we will do what we can to ensure every American does as well.

Americans for Tax Fairness
Updated Dec. 18, 2017

 TERRIBLE THINGS ABOUT THE TRUMP-GOP TAX PLAN

FULL DETAILS AND SOURCES HERE: https://americansfortaxfairness.org/13-terrible-things-gops-tax-cuts-jobs-act/

EXCERPTS:

1.     Gives 83% of the tax cuts to the richest 1% by 2027.

2.     Raises taxes on 92 million middle-class families by 2027 to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. 

3.     Mandates automatic Medicare cuts of at least $25 billion in 2018 and $400 billion over 10 years.

4.     Increases health care premiums and leaves 13 million families without health coverage, to raise revenue for tax breaks that mostly benefit the wealthy and corporations.

5.     Provides a corporate tax rate cut of $1.4 trillion and makes those cuts permanent, but makes tax cuts for individuals and families temporary.

6.     Adds $1.5 to $2.2 trillion to the national debt, jeopardizing critical services. 

7.     Prioritizes the wealthiest taxpayers over working families with children. The GOP chose not to fully adjust changes in the Child Tax Credit so that some 24 million children in working families could fully benefit. 

8.     Prioritizes wealthy business owners and real estate developers like Donald Trump. They get a net $265 billion tax cut from a new 20% deduction for “pass-through” business income combined with a tightening of rules on losses.

9.     Kills American jobs by encouraging outsourcing and profit shifting. The plan creates a territorial tax system, which exempts foreign profits from U.S. taxes. 

10. Hands a $400 billion tax cut to offshore tax dodgers.

11. Limits the federal deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), hurting the middle class. This is one of the reasons that nearly 8 million families will see tax increases in 2018.

12. Lets many wealthy heirs avoid paying the estate tax. The estate tax is substantially weakened, losing $83 billion and allowing very rich families to inherit wealth tax-free.

13. Enriches President Trump and his family.

View the complete analysis here: https://americansfortaxfairness.org/13-terrible-things-gops-tax-cuts-jobs-act/