WASHINGTON, DC - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) today released the following statement after the Republican tax legislation passed out of committee:
“The legislation that advanced today will hurt Americans at every stage of their lives. Students trying to pay back the loans they took out to afford college; teachers buying classroom supplies with money from their own pockets; veterans looking to earn a good living after putting their lives on the line for our nation; working folks struggling to save for a secure retirement; and aging Americans suffering from chronic illnesses will all be hit with new expenses and face higher barriers under the Republicans’ tax bill. As Democrats repeatedly pointed out this week, corporations will keep many of the same benefits middle-class families are losing.
“Democrats offered dozens of amendments to make this legislation less disastrous for middle-class families. Though Republicans praised many of these measures’ merits, they still opposed each and every one.
“From the beginning of this process, I sought open, bipartisan debate to achieve real reform for real people. Instead, Republicans crafted a bill behind closed doors, without a single hearing, and then substantially changed the measure twice while it was under committee consideration this week. After such a secretive, rushed process, it’s no surprise that the resulting legislation is a bad deal that raises taxes on millions of middle-class workers to finance massive cuts for those at the top.
“We will continue to fight this middle-class tax hike when it reaches the House floor. Democrats want to expand opportunity for Americans so that they can afford to cover their medical expenses, buy a home, pursue an education, and retire comfortably. We are committed to a fairer path forward that prioritizes the middle class and invigorates our economy."
