Tag: GOP tax scam

The Senate Tax Bill Is Even More Costly Under Current Policy Assumptions

The following article by Seth Hanlon and Alex Rowell was posted on the Center for American Progress website December 13, 2017:

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, takes questions from reporters as he and other lawmakers head to the Senate floor for votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 27, 2017. Credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite

The tax bills that the House and Senate have passed and are now seeking to reconcile would add nearly $1.5 trillion to federal deficits over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). One of the ways in which the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are rationalizing adding so much debt is by claiming that they are measuring the tax bill against a “current policy” baseline instead of the traditional “current law” baseline. But in applying a current policy baseline to the bill under the assumption that it reduces the cost, they are making a major error. The fact is that the Senate tax bill adds even more to deficits when using current policy assumptions. Under this approach, the bill’s many expiring tax cuts would be treated as if they were permanent, significantly raising their cost. Continue reading “The Senate Tax Bill Is Even More Costly Under Current Policy Assumptions”

Those That Shall Not Be Named: Cost Sharing Reductions

The following article by Lindsey McPherson was posted on the Roll Call website December 14, 2017:

Speaker Paul D. Ryan once panned a measure that would restore cost-sharing reduction subsidies for health insurance companies. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

In Congress, where most lawmakers are hesitant to spill secrets about ongoing negotiations, answers are often found in what lawmakers are not saying. And House Republican leaders are not saying much about subsidies for health care insurers lately.

GOP leaders’ continued refusal in recent weeks to rule out funding the cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or CSRs, which President Donald Trump’s administration has stopped paying, is not a guarantee that Congress will do so. But it’s certainly a green light for negotiations to continue. Continue reading “Those That Shall Not Be Named: Cost Sharing Reductions”

Support for Tax Plan Could Hurt Candidates

The following article by Taegan Goddard was posted on the Political Wire website December 13, 2017:

A new Quinnipiac poll finds American voters disapprove of the pending Republican tax plan by a wide margin, 55% to 26%, and 43% say they are less likely to vote for a U.S. Senator or Congressperson who supports the plan.

Key finding: “Only 16% of American voters say the tax plan will reduce their taxes, while 44% say it will increase their taxes and 30% say the tax plan will have little impact.”

For members: Where’s the Political Upside in the GOP Tax Plan?

View the post here.

Senate, House Reach Tax Overhaul Agreement

The following article by Niels Lesniewski and Joe Williams was posted on the Roll Call website December 13, 2017:

Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch confirms

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, speaks with reporters as he arrives for lunch with Senate Republicans in the Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate and House Republicans have reached a broad agreement on a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch said Wednesday.

As he was leaving for the White House, the Senate Finance Chairman confirmed the House and Senate have reached a deal on overhauling the tax code.

“We reached the agreement,” the Utah Republican told reporters.

Hatch said he planned to update President Donald Trump on the agreement when he reached the White House, declining to answer any questions about specifics, such as the final corporate tax rate or when exactly the deal was reached. Continue reading “Senate, House Reach Tax Overhaul Agreement”

Democrats Push GOP to Delay Tax Talks After Alabama

The following article by Niels Lesniewski was posted on the Roll Call website December 13, 2017:

But Republican tax conference committee is full speed ahead

Alabama Democrat Doug Jones’s victory in the Senate race to replace Jeff Sessions could scramble the legislative calculus. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Democrats were quick to call on Republicans to delay their efforts to rewrite the tax code, saying Doug Jones’ victory in Tuesday’s special Senate election in Alabama is a sign from voters that needs to be heeded.

“The vote on the tax bill should be postponed. The voice of Alabamians should be heard on this and Doug Jones should have a chance to weigh in,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez told reporters Wednesday.

Perez spoke before Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, who had much the same message. Flanked by a chart with quotes from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dating to the aftermath of the election of Republican Scott P. Brown in Massachusetts, the New York Democrat highlighted concerns about the bill among suburban voters. Continue reading “Democrats Push GOP to Delay Tax Talks After Alabama”

Nonprofits Band Together to Oppose Tax Bill

The following article was posted on the KSTP.com website December 12, 2017:

Click the image above to go to KSTP’s video

A wide range of Minnesota nonprofits concerned about the impact of the tax bill currently being negotiated between the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives banded together to stage a media and social media blitz Tuesday.

About 30 nonprofits all sent out press releases stating each’s opposition to the bill being worked out by the Republican Congress. And many more took part in a Twitter thunderclap by sending out tweets at the same time. Continue reading “Nonprofits Band Together to Oppose Tax Bill”

Congressional Republicans in advanced talks to reduce the tax rate for top earners to 37 percent as part of final tax bill

The following article by Erica Werner and Damian Paletta was posted on the Washington Post website December 12, 2017:

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) talks with reporters on Capitol Hill this month. Credit:
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post

Congressional Republicans are in advanced talks to lower the top tax rate for individuals from 39.6 percent to 37 percent as they finalize a massive $1.5 trillion tax package, said three people familiar with the negotiations.

The move follows complaints from wealthy taxpayers in New York and elsewhere that their taxes could go up under the legislation because of other changes it makes to the code.

The change, if finalized, would amount to a major tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. And it would be certain to spark a furious response from Democrats who are unanimously opposed to the legislation which they already have been casting as a giveaway to corporations and the rich. Continue reading “Congressional Republicans in advanced talks to reduce the tax rate for top earners to 37 percent as part of final tax bill”

Six Things to Watch as Tax Overhaul Endgame Nears

The following article by Ryan McCrimmon was posted on the Roll Call website December 11, 2017:

House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady says both Senate and House tax plans have “strengths” when it comes to the treatment of income of pass-through entities. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

A number of sticking points emerged last week as Republican lawmakers began jockeying for their favorite parts of the House and Senate tax plans.

Top tax writers from each chamber will formally meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. to discuss their differences, but the real negotiations have already begun behind the scenes.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthysaid last week a finished tax bill likely wouldn’t be ready this week, so final votes could come just before lawmakers leave for the holidays. Congress is scheduled to remain in town until at least Dec. 22, when a stopgap government spending measure expires. Continue reading “Six Things to Watch as Tax Overhaul Endgame Nears”

Taxing the rich to help the poor? Here’s what the Bible says

The following article by Mathew Schmalz, Associate Professor of Religion, College of the Holy Cross, was posted on the Conversation website December 10, 2017:

Credit: Associated

The new tax reform bill has led to an intense debate over whether it would help or hurt the poor. Tax reform in general raises critical issues about whether the government should redistribute income and promote equality in the first place.

Jews and Christians look to the Bible for guidance about these questions. And while the Bible is clear about aiding the poor, it does not provide easy answers about taxing the rich. But even so, over the centuries biblical principles have provided an understanding on how to help the needy.

The Hebrew Bible and the poor

The Hebrew Bible has extensive regulations that require the wealthy to set aside for the poor a portion of the crops that they grow. Continue reading “Taxing the rich to help the poor? Here’s what the Bible says”

The Middle Class Might Not Even Notice If the GOP Cuts Their Taxes

The following article by Sahil Kapur was posted on the Bloomberg.com website December 11, 2017:

  • Americans didn’t notice similar measure in 2009, poll showed
  • Republicans seek ‘more middle-income tax relief,’ Roskam says
Jared Bernstein Credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

A funny thing happened when Congress approved a tax cut for the middle class eight years ago: Most Americans didn’t notice.

The 2009 economic-stimulus bill contained a one-year tax break worth $800 for married couples in 95 percent of working households — a little over $15 a week. A February 2010 poll found that just 12 percent said their taxes had been reduced. More than half, 53 percent, said they saw no change. A remarkable 24 percent thought their taxes had increased.

“Virtually nobody believed they got a tax cut,” said Jared Bernstein, an economist who worked in former President Barack Obama’s White House. He called it a source of frustration at the time. Continue reading “The Middle Class Might Not Even Notice If the GOP Cuts Their Taxes”