House passes Trump tax cuts; Alabama delegation splits on party lines

The House on Tuesday approved the most sweeping federal tax overhaul since 1986.

The bill, which lowers income tax rates for families and businesses while closing special interest loopholes, passed by a 227-203 margin along party lines with all but one member of the Alabama delegation voting in favor of it.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act now awaits final passage by the Senate, which is expected later Tuesday.

Here’s what the Alabama delegation had to say about their votes:

Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne:

Today, we are giving the American people a huge Christmas present: lower taxes, a stronger economy, and more money in their pockets. This historic vote will pave the way for more jobs and bigger paychecks for families in Southwest Alabama and across the United States.

A lot of hard work and countless hours went into making today’s vote possible, and I appreciate all those who had a hand in this historic moment. Here in the People’s House, we will continue to pursue policies that ease the burden of the federal government and make life better for American families.

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

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce the tax burden on American families and grow our economy – and I’m glad we could deliver,” Roby said. “Under this legislation, a median income American family will get a tax cut of approximately $2,100 not just one year, but annually. It’s their money to begin with, and I believe families know how to spend it better than the government does. I look forward to the Senate swiftly passing this bill and the President signing it into law.

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

After over 30 years, the day has finally come for this historic tax legislation to simplify our broken tax code.  I was pleased the bill passed the House today with my strong support and look forward to seeing the relief it brings to hard-working families across East Alabama and America.

The legislation will let Americans keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, will lower the corporate tax rate to make American businesses more competitive and will increase the Child Tax Credit.  The bill also eliminates Obamacare’s individual mandate so that families can have more freedom in their health care decisions.

Alabama 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt

This afternoon, I voted in the House of Representatives, to give back more money to Alabama taxpayers. Far too many of the people in Washington believe that the government should have a right to a high percentage of everything you earn. Those people are wrong. It is your money, and you should be able to keep even more of it.

“This tax bill does the right thing. It doubles the child tax credit. It doubles the standard deduction. It keeps medical deductions and mortgage deductions, and more than 80% of the people in the 4th District of Alabama will receive a tax cut.

This is also a jobs bill. By lowering the corporate tax rate, businesses are no longer rewarded for moving their businesses and jobs overseas where tax rates are cheaper. Our cumbersome, 20th Century tax code desperately needed updating. This bill achieves that goal.

Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks:

America faces a dangerous $20 trillion national debt and an unending string of $1 trillion/year deficits starting in just four years. Economic growth is critical to avoid a national debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy that could destroy an American economy it took our ancestors centuries to build.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts corporate and pass-through tax rates, allows full and immediate expensing of new equipment, and encourages companies to bring back overseas profits needed to spur investment in factories and jobs in America. Overall, these tax reforms make American job-creators more competitive in a cut-throat international marketplace, thereby protecting and creating even more jobs and bigger paychecks for struggling American families.

Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer:

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide a much needed tax break for hardworking Americans for the first time in 31 years. Our tax plan not only puts more money in the pockets of the American people, but will also launch economic growth. Over the previous eight years our economy only grew at an anemic 1.8 percent per year because businesses were shackled by a complicated and burdensome tax code that was designed for a 1986 economy. The tax reform bill the House just passed removes the shackles and brings our tax code up to date with today’s economy and with American families and workers.

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

The GOP tax bill that passed the House today is a giveaway for the wealthy paid for by America’s working families,” said Rep. Sewell. “Real tax reform should put working families first, make our workforce more competitive, and it should simplify the tax code in a fiscally responsible way. Today’s tax bill does the opposite.

In Alabama, the bill will give the richest one percent a $4,450 tax cut, while the bottom 80 percent will see a $117 tax increase. In total it will increase taxes for an estimated 545,000 working families in Alabama. This bill is a raw deal for working families, and it cannot in good conscience be called tax reform. I am deeply disappointed that Republicans threw away this opportunity for bipartisan cooperation.”