WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, GOP congressional leaders outlined their plan for an overhaul of the federal tax code. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“While the Ryan-McConnell tax outline released today is short on details, it is clear that the plan prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy over relief for working families and small businesses,” said Rep. Sewell. “Tax reform should be an opportunity to help hardworking Americans and to build a more competitive economy. Instead, the GOP plan cuts taxes for top earners and leaves Congress to balance the budget on the backs of the middle class.

“The Ryan-McConnell plan eliminates the alternative minimum tax for high-income individuals at an estimated cost of $413 billion over the next decade. The plan also recommends reducing the top tax bracket from 39.6 percent to 35 percent, a benefit helping only those tax filers earning over $470,000. Altogether, the tax giveaway proposed by Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell would increase the deficit by an estimated $2.2 trillion, leaving future generations with the bill.”

“Just yesterday, I met with President Trump at the White House, where the President promised that his tax plan would not be a tax cut for the wealthy. I plan on holding the President to his word. We cannot miss an opportunity for tax reform that puts working families and small businesses first.”

On Tuesday, Rep. Sewell joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the White House to discuss tax reform priorities. Rep. Sewell is a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.