Statement
Republican Tax Plan Is a ‘Non-Starter for the Moms of America’
November 2, 2017
Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996
Statement from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO of MomsRising, a national online and on-the-ground organization of more than 1 million mothers and their families, on the tax plan introduced today by House Republicans
“The tax plan introduced by Republican leaders in the House of Representatives today is a non-starter for the moms of America and would have disastrous implications for their families and their futures. Just like the budget passed last week, this plan would raise taxes for millions while gutting essential programs that boost our health care, nutrition, education and economy — all in order to cut taxes for the richest one percent and for wealthy corporations.
“Put simply, this tax plan has all the wrong priorities and would devastate our families and our economy.
“It can’t be considered true tax reform with the vast majority of the tax cuts going to the top 1 percent. This is a reverse Robin Hood plan. Working families will be footing the bill and paying through cuts in funding to vital health care, nutrition and education programs over the next decade just so the rich can get richer, if this plan becomes law. If we’re going to make $1.5 trillion in tax cuts, then it should go to more than giving a free handout to the very wealthy. For instance, we could provide childcare assistance to 6 million children, double cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and provide opioid addiction treatment to 300,000 people. Instead, House Republicans are choosing to eliminate personal and dependent exemptions and state and local tax deductions, create special lower tax rates for pass-through businesses, and set the groundwork for repealing the estate tax — all moves that would benefit the 1% and wealthy corporations
“No matter how much the administration and Republicans in Congress try to spin this plan as a boon for the middle class, we know better. The moms of America won’t stand silently by as President Trump and his cronies lie to us about how this bill would affect our families and our economy. We know trickle-down economics has never worked and won’t work now. We know that we need to make investments in our health care, nutrition and early education — not rob these programs in order to give tax cuts to the wealthy and powerful.
“Even if House Republicans do not admit it, we know very well that this tax plan isn’t for us and we won’t stand idly by as Wall Street reaps the benefits while working families foot the bill.
“We urge Congress to reject this bill immediately, and instead work to pass a tax plan that prioritizes working family tax credits and invests in the programs that help reduce income inequality and boost our economy. That’s what our country and our economy need.”