Congresswoman Gwen Moore Slams Ways and Means Republicans’ GOP Tax Scam 2.0

“Republicans are once again, using their failed trickle-down economics theory to provide tax cuts that further enrich big corporations.

Instead of advancing tax policies to benefit working families, Ways and Means Committee Republicans are doubling down on their tax giveaway to the wealthy and big corporations, aka their 2023 GOP Tax Scam 2.0. Even though Republicans claim to support small businesses, their rhetoric doesn’t match their actions. Key provisions in their Tax Scam package won’t benefit Main Street, and instead, will largely flow to large companies with profits in excess of hundreds of millions annually.

Their bill also recklessly reverses Democrats’ critical tax credit incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act to support a clean energy economy and fight the climate crisis, hurting America’s clean energy economy while propping up Big Oil with millions in tax cuts. These proposals are a major step backward in our nation’s efforts to address climate change and build a forward-looking economy.

During yesterday’s markup, I offered an amendment and supported other amendments to help ensure that we passed a tax package that truly helped working Americans. My amendment, based on my bill, the Worker Relief and Credit Reform Act (WRCR), would improve the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by removing unnecessary restrictions that prevent many younger workers and older workers from benefiting from this program. My amendment would also help ensure that foster youth and homeless youth could also take advantage of the support of this critical support. Each of these provisions in my amendment were enacted on a temporary basis in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enhancements that helped this tax credit better serve our most vulnerable.

I also supported efforts by my colleagues to restore the ARPA’s boosted child tax credit that helped lift millions of children out of poverty, to extend support for childcare, and many others to make sure this bill actually works for hardworking, every day Americans, not the wealthy and well-connected.

Shamefully but unsurprisingly, Republicans used this mark-up to play political games, and I had to withdraw my amendment, because Republicans refused to consider my commonsense proposal claiming it wasn’t germane. Why are EITC enhancements to support homeless youth, foster youth, and older and younger workers deemed irrelevant by Ways and Means Republicans? I won’t let their efforts deter me from championing the needs of ordinary people.

While Democrats are committed to supporting our children and families with the enhanced Child Tax Credit, expanded access to affordable childcare, and clean energy manufacturing jobs, the Republicans agenda is clearly out of touch with the needs of ordinary Americans and can only offer empty rhetoric and tax cuts for their corporate donors.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.