House Budget Vote Kicks Off Tax Cut Melee
Oct. 26, 2017
House Budget Vote Kicks Off Tax Cut Melee
Statements from Public Citizen Experts
Note: Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the U.S. Senate-passed budget resolution. The resolution contains fast-track reconciliation instructions that pave the way for a simple majority vote on a tax bill in the Senate. This budget also allows for $1.5 trillion in deficit spending over the next decade to pay for tax giveaways targeted at millionaires, billionaires and wealthy corporations.
“So-called fiscal conservatives in the House just rubberstamped a Senate budget to finance lavish tax giveaways for corporate donors by putting it on the tab of regular Americans. Trickle-down economics will again drown America’s tax returns with trillions of future debt.”
– Susan Harley, deputy director for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division and tax policy expert
“Cruel proposals to gut heath care, public education, nutrition assistance and other vital services for working families to give tax handouts to the rich and profitable corporations are incredibly unpopular with voters. This budget vote is a clear example of lawmakers bucking their populist base, just to shower big bucks on their wealthy donors.
“In addition, the self-dealing of President Donald Trump (not to mention his wealthy and corporate Cabinet) on this issue is incredible, though the full extent of his presidential profiteering will never be truly understood until we see his tax returns. American voters will not stand for this bait-and-switch proposal that takes from the needy and weak to give to the rich and powerful.”
– Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division