Skip to main content

Neal Statement on House Passage of Republican Tax Bill Conference Report

December 19, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Republican tax bill conference report:

"Today, Republicans passed legislation that will raise taxes on 86 million middle class families, add $2.3 trillion to the federal debt, worsen economic inequality, and take health insurance away from 13 million Americans while raising premiums by 10 percent for everyone else. Our children and grandchildren will be forced to foot the bill for tax cuts given to those at the very top and big corporations. This legislation will have long-term, wide-ranging negative impacts on Americans' economic security.

"With this harmful bill, Republicans are just getting started. Speaker Ryan plans to fund these regressive cuts by slashing benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security that Americans have earned through years of hard work. Democrats will fight to protect these programs, and we'll do everything we can to lower families' premiums in the face of President Trump's attacks on healthcare.

"This tax legislation was a missed opportunity to achieve meaningful, positive change for middle class families. But despite this setback, Democrats will continue to put the middle class first and work to create a more secure and prosperous future for generations to come."

###

Issues:Tax Reform