Alabama delegations weighs in on GOP’s massive tax cut plan

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As congressional Republicans unveiled a sweeping tax reform plan on Thursday, Alabama’s congressional delegation by and large came out in support of it.
While 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer have yet to weigh in, the rest of the Republicans in the delegation came out in support of the $1.51 trillion plan to simplify the country’s tax code.
The delegation’s lone Democrat 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell opposes the plan, which lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, while reducing the number of tax brackets for individuals from seven to four — 12, 25, 35, and 39.6 percent. It also doubles the standard deduction for individuals and families, but caps deductions for both local and state taxes. Additionally it repeals the estate tax in six years.

Congressional Republicans championed the measure at the plan’s unveiling.

“This is it America,” said Texas-Republican, House Ways and Means Chair Kevin Brady at a press conference. “It is our opportunity to make tax reform a reality.”

President Donald Trump applauded the release of the plan in a statement shortly after the bill was presented. There he took the opportunity to preemptively hit back at possible critics of the legislation.

“I applaud the House Ways and Means Committee for introducing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is another important step toward providing massive tax relief for the American people,” said Trump. “The special interests will distort the facts, the lobbyists will try to save their special deals, and some in the media will unfairly report on our efforts.”

Here’s what the Alabama delegation has to say about the tax cut proposal:

Bradley Byrne Official fraudAlabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne:

Tax reform has the potential to make America boom again, and it starts with putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans. The current tax code is too complicated and confusing, benefiting the elite while making things harder for American families. It is time for a fairer and simpler tax code that supports new jobs right here in the United States. We need to get this right, and I look forward to working with President Trump to do just that. We cannot pass up this historic opportunity to reform our outdated tax code and unlock our full economic potential.

Martha Roby OfficialAlabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby:

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to deliver on our promise and give the American people the results they deserve. Our tax reform plan will grow the economy, create jobs here in the United States, and allow hardworking taxpayers to keep more of their money in their pocket.

An average family with about 60,000 dollars in household income would see their federal tax bill drop by about $1,200. For the people I represent, this can make a big difference. For that mom working a retail job or the dad driving the truck or that single parent working two or three jobs just to make ends meet, having an extra $1,000 in your pocket is a big deal.

I promise you hardworking taxpayers know how to spend their money better than the government does.

Mike Rogers OfficialAlabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers:

Hard-working American families deserve to take home more of their hard-earned paychecks, and President Trump’s tax plan will help make that happen.

Robert Aderholt OfficialAlabama 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt:

The tax bill released today is a good start, as it refocuses our tax code on today’s economy. Our current system was put in place when most Americans had never heard of the internet, the only phone they had was attached to the wall at home and Bill Curry and Pat Dye were coaching at Alabama and Auburn.

It’s time for a tax code that puts working Americans first. More than 80% of the people in my district will see their tax burden drop, and to me, that is a good thing. 

Terri Sewell OfficialAlabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell:

After months of secret negotiations, it should come as no surprise that the tax plan revealed by Republican leaders today is a raw deal for Alabama and for working families across this nation. The Republican tax bill will raise costs on families who can least afford it while providing wealthy individuals and special interests a windfall in tax breaks.

In order to pay for what would be the largest tax giveaway to special interests in American history, the Republican tax plan makes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the programs that middle-class families rely on. We cannot afford poorly targeted tax cuts and we cannot afford to miss our chance for true bipartisan tax reform. While I disagree with a number of the points in today’s tax plan, I will work with my colleagues to try to reshape this bill so that it helps working families and encourages growth across the entire economy in a fiscally-responsible way.