Mr. Chairman, in light of last night’s election, I do not believe we should be holding today’s meeting. In fact, I believe it is imperative that we respect the will of the people of Alabama and delay any further action on this tax bill until Senator-elect Jones can be seated.
This situation is not unprecedented. As recently as 2010, during debate on the ACA, my state of Massachusetts elected Scott Brown in a special election to succeed Sen Ted Kennedy. Following that election, we heard strong words from then Minority Leader McConnell.
He stated emphatically, "I think the message of the moment is that the American people, all across the country, are asking us, even in the most liberal state, Massachusetts, to stop this healthcare bill."
What did Democrats do? We waited and respected the will of the people of Massachusetts. Quite simply, even when it was hard and against our own politics, Democrats did the right thing and allowed Senator Brown to cast a vote on final passage of the ACA. I would hope that the Republicans would do the same today.
Turning the tax bill, the Ryan-McConnell tax package is a bad deal. This legislation raises taxes on millions of middle-class families, increases the national debt by more than $2.3 trillion dollars, and eliminates deductions that help Americans afford to go to college, buy a home, and pay for medical expenses.
From kids with disabilities, to students pursuing a higher education, to seniors with Alzheimer’s, this bill punishes Americans at every stage of life. And as the New York Times reported this weekend, given the Republicans shift in how they’ll tax income, the Tax Code will for the first time substantially punish the wage earner while providing massive benefit to corporations, shareholders, and partners.
We can do better. Democrats’ focus in tax reform is providing ALL middle-class Americans with a tax cut - unlike the Republicans’ bill, which does the opposite and actually increases taxes on the middle class.
The Republicans also claim that their bill helps small businesses but I’m hearing from business owners back home in Springfield who are excluded from any tax relief.
We also must take into account the unique circumstances for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They just suffered terrible devastation and are still in the process of rebuilding and putting the pieces of their lives back together after Hurricane Maria. The last thing they need is to get hit again.
Finally, the Republicans have shown their cards - they’re going after Social Security, Medicare and Welfare next. They argue we can no longer afford those programs. I’d argue that we can’t afford this $2.3 trillion tax cut for the wealthy and corporations.
The Ryan-McConnell tax legislation does not put the middle class first. American businesses and middle-class families deserve better.
