12.08.17

Ready To Finalize Tax Reform Legislation

Senate Conference Committee Members Work To ‘Send A Final Bill To The President’s Desk’ And ‘Provide Relief To Families And Small Businesses’

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Last week, Senators answered the calls of our constituents by voting to overhaul our complex and outdated federal tax code. We seized the opportunity to spur economic growth, to help create jobs right here at home, and to take more money out of Washington’s pocket and put more money into the pockets of hardworking American families. Now that the Senate has voted to join our House colleagues in a conference committee, I’m confident that this distinguished group of Senators will work to get the job done for the American people. I know everyone is ready to finalize our tax reform legislation and send it to the president so he can sign it into law.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 12/06/2017)

  • “Republican leaders moved closer on Wednesday to resolving some key differences between the House and Senate tax bills … Republican lawmakers are looking to quickly resolve differences so they can get the bill signed and to Mr. Trump by Christmas. ‘I can’t imagine having come this far we’re not going to finish the job,’ Mr. McConnell of Kentucky told the radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday. He added that he was ‘almost certain’ that the bill would reach the desk of [President] Trump.” (“Republicans Move to Resolve Tax Bill Differences…,” The New York Times, 12/06/2017)

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ‘The House And Senate Are On The Same Team,’ ‘Solemn Commitment To Keep Working And Get This Done’

SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R-UT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee: “[The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] spent years in the making.  As my chief legislative focus for many years, tax reform was not some off-the-cuff effort. No, we have been researching, holding dozens of hearings, commissioning bipartisan working groups, and working with our friends on the other side of the Capitol and down the street at the White House for some time now…. I know that I will not rest, and that I can count on the rest of you to keep going until we’ve got this over the finish line. We are so close to finally giving the American people the tax code and, in turn, the economic growth not only they, but their children and grandchildren deserve. It is my solemn commitment to keep working and get this done.” (Senate Finance Committee, Press Release, 12/06/2017)

SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: “I’m very confident that we will quickly reach agreement to provide tax relief to families and job creators while strengthening the long-term energy security of our nation. With Congressman Young representing the House of Representatives on our energy provisions, Alaskans will have a very strong voice at the table to ensure this bill crosses the finish line.” (Sen. Murkowski, Press Release, 12/7/2017)

SEN. MIKE ENZI (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee: “This tax reform bill has been years in the making. After more than 70 hearings on taxes and an open legislative process, we have a bill before us that will bring relief to millions of Americans. This important pro-growth tax reform bill will put money back in the pockets of middle-class families and make our country globally competitive. This legislation is truly about making a better future for our country. It is rooted in the ideal that Americans, not the federal government, know best how to spend their hard-earned money.” (Sen. Enzi, Press Release, 12/02/2017)

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): “…we still have a lot to do, but I think you'll see more fine-tuning rather than major changes. The point is we want to get the tax code in a pro-growth mode, we want to become more competitive and not see businesses and investment and jobs go overseas but come back home, and we do want to lower taxes for the median family of four. We want to get this done and get it on the President's desk before Christmas.” (Sen. Cornyn, Press Release, 12/7/2017)

SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD): “The House and Senate are on the same team, we’re headed toward the same end zone, and we have the same goal in mind – putting a pro-growth tax reform bill that helps middle-income Americans on the president’s desk as soon as possible…. Delivering on this promise that we made to the American people will lead to an environment that will foster greater economic growth and create additional opportunities for families to get ahead. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and I am committed to ensuring that our final product delivers on the goals we’ve set out to achieve.” (Sen. Thune, Press Release, 12/06/2017)

SEN. ROB PORTMAN (R-OH): “We’ve made important strides toward providing middle-class tax relief and reforming our tax code, and I will continue to work to improve this bill as the House and Senate complete our work. In 2010, I made a commitment to the people of Ohio that I would help lead an effort to reform our broken tax code and provide relief to families and small businesses, and I intend to keep that commitment. This effort is about giving Ohio families a better future with more jobs and higher wages, and I’m optimistic that the House and Senate will send a final bill to the president’s desk before Christmas.” (Sen. Portman, Press Release, 12/06/2017)

SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-SC): “I have said from the beginning that my goal is to help families keep more of their paychecks at home, and to ensure that the jobs of the 21st century are created right here in America. I am confident we will accomplish these goals, and let those Americans who feel left behind know that we see and hear them. The American people haven’t seen true tax reform in more than 30 years, and I look forward to getting this once in a generation opportunity over the finish line and to the President’s desk before Christmas.” (Sen. Scott, Press Release, 12/07/2017)

SEN. PAT TOOMEY (R-PA): “Our bill directly lowers the tax burden for middle income families and fundamentally restructures the business tax code so American workers and businesses can compete globally…. I am confident these reforms will unleash a surge in economic growth and job creation. I hope the House and Senate soon come together to finish our work on this bill, and deliver on our promise of a better and brighter economic future for all Americans.” (Sen. Toomey, Press Release, 12/01/2017)

###
SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: Jobs, Middle Class, Small Business, Economy, Taxes