Press Releases
Larsen Votes Against Republican Tax Conference Report
Washington, DC,
December 19, 2017
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today released the following statement after voting against the Republican tax conference report. “Once again, Congressional Republicans have put the interests of corporations and the wealthy ahead of what is best for hardworking American families. The latest partisan tax package will still drastically raise the deficit by $1.5 trillion, increase taxes on veterans and the middle-class, and deny vital comprehensive health coverage to over 39,000 Washingtonians in the district I represent. “The Republican tax conference report is nothing more than a permanent tax break for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class. Analysis from the Tax Policy Center found that the top one percent of Americans would receive an estimated 62 percent of the bill’s proposed tax cuts- that is more than double the George W. Bush-era tax cuts. In Washington state, the richest one percent will receive an average $7,750 tax cut under the GOP tax bill, while lower income Washingtonians face tax hikes – according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. “I stand with my constituents who have called, sent letters, attended community coffees or otherwise made their voices heard about the harm this Republican tax bill would cause. Like the U.S. military retiree in Oak Harbor, who worries about how the GOP tax scam jeopardizes the retirement they have worked a lifetime for by raiding Medicare funds; the couple in Lynnwood who is concerned about the impact of the reduced mortgage interest and SALT deductions on their property value under the new bill and; the low- and middle income families throughout Washington state’s Second District who will struggle to make ends meet once the bill’s temporary, modest tax cuts end,” said Larsen. “Real bipartisan tax reform should simplify the tax code, support middle-class families and veterans, strongly invest in infrastructure, foster more well-paying jobs, and ensure access to affordable, high-quality health care. “I voted against this GOP tax scam and will continue to push for a better deal to benefit all Americans.” ### |