SUMMARY

The House Ways & Means Committee began marking up the Ryan-McConnell Republican tax bill this afternoon. Democrats highlighted how the Republican tax plan will raises taxes on millions of middle-class Americans in order to pay for a tax cut for the well off and well connected. Repealing important middle-class tax deductions like the medical expense deduction, the deduction for student loan interest, and the adoption tax credit is going to cause unnecessary harm to many families that rely on these deductions to help cover basic, everyday expenses.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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REMARKS & QUOTES

• WATCH NOW: “The winners in this bill are the top one percent of the wealthiest Americans. Multinational corporations will benefit and Wall Street fat cats. The losers in this bill are working families, the middle class, homeowners, local municipalities, and hardworking Americans who strive to achieve the American dream.”
• WATCH NOW: “As I am closing, I think of what Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress, said. ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.’ Mr. Chairman, this is my folding chair, and I’m here to give a voice to the people I represent.”
• WATCH NOW: “So many of us represent distressed communities, and often times the tax code allows certain credits that will encourage investments even in distressed and low-income areas… Historically, low-income communities experience a lack of investment.”

WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW

The Ways & Means Committee will continue consideration of the Republican tax bill tomorrow. Rep. Sewell will offer an amendment on apprenticeships and workforce development that will highlight Democratic priorities for economic development as well as concerns with the Republican tax plan.

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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.