Tax Reform: ‘Getting America Going Again And Growing Again’

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “It’s time to take more money out of Washington’s pockets, and put more of it in the pockets of Americans.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

• SEN. McCONNELL: “To summarize what this is about, it is about getting America going again and growing again. Providing jobs and opportunity here rather than overseas. Providing middle class tax relief for hardworking American families so they can get ahead. Put another way, taking money out of Washington and putting it in the pockets of our citizens.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Conference, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JOHN BARRASSO (R-WY): “Our country needs a simpler, fairer tax code that will keep more money in the pockets of hardworking families. America needs a strong and healthy economy. We are losing the race to keep businesses from leaving the country because our corporate tax rate is the highest in the developed world. We want to keep jobs here at home, and grow our economy. Tax relief and simplifying taxes means more jobs and higher wages for families in Wyoming and across the nation.” (Sen. Barrasso, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. ROY BLUNT (R-MO): “We need lower taxes. We need better jobs…. Most new job creation is created by small businesses. We ought to be sure that no matter what we do in the Tax Code, we do it in a way that allows small business to compete with big business in an effective way.” (Sen. Blunt, Congressional Record, S. 6172, 9/27/2017)

SEN. ROGER WICKER (R-MS): “One of my top priorities is to help President Trump reform our country’s broken tax code and ensure that Mississippi families keep more of what they earn. This particular proposal has the potential to make the economy roar, help job creators, spur innovation, and renew the spirit of the American Dream. This is a watershed moment that we cannot afford to miss.” (Sen. Wicker, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. CORY GARDNER (R-CO): “Too many Colorado families have felt like they can’t get ahead over the last few years, and providing tax relief for hardworking families will jump-start the economy and put more money in their pockets. The outline released today will serve as a blueprint for the House and Senate as they begin their bipartisan hearings on how we can best fix our confusing and oversized tax code. As talks continue, I’ll make sure that the priorities and interests of Coloradans are front and center.” (Sen. Gardner, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): “You don’t need to be an accountant to know that our tax code is way too complicated, takes too many dollars away from Tennesseans and makes it harder to create good-paying jobs for Tennessee families. I welcome the president’s leadership in outlining his plans for tax reform and will continue to work with him and my Senate and House colleagues to create a simpler system that will keep more money in Tennesseans’ pockets and help create and grow jobs.” (Sen. Alexander, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ): “I’m encouraged that the Senate Finance Committee has already held three hearings on tax reform with more on the horizon. The committee also plans to hold a full mark-up of the bill, during which senators will have the opportunity to debate the merits of the legislation and offer amendments…. I'm confident that by moving through the normal legislative process, we can produce a bill that reforms our tax system, boosts our economy, and improves the lives of the people we serve.” (Sen. McCain, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. MIKE CRAPO (R-ID): “We must address each one of the problems with the current tax code with an emphasis on lower rates, broadening the base, reducing complexity, and eliminating anti-competitive provisions… Tax policy should not be so complex that it requires such strain and expense on Americans.” (Sen. Crapo, @MikeCrapo, Twitter, 9/27/2017)

SEN. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO (R-WV): “For the first time in decades, we have an opportunity to advance tax reforms that will transform our economy, put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, create good-paying jobs, and empower small businesses to grow and expand. States like West Virginia have been hit hard by a struggling economy and stagnant wages, but this framework lays out the path to a brighter future. Comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform will help deliver the relief so many families and communities in our state desperately need and create new opportunities for our children and grandchildren. This is our chance to foster a new age of American prosperity.” (Sen. Capito, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JONI ERNST (R-IA): “Our loophole-ridden and outdated tax code is a prime example of how government inefficiency can negatively impact Iowans and their businesses. At 35 percent, our corporate tax rate is the highest in the developed world. For our small businesses — which make up 97 percent of all employers in Iowa — the marginal tax rate can reach as high as 44.6 percent. On top of that, business owners spend untold amounts of money and hours attempting to comply with our nonsensical tax code. We must ensure that this mission to reform our broken tax code focuses on relieving the burden the complicated federal tax system has placed on Iowa’s families, individuals, and small businesses. Such reform is essential to reinvigorating America’s economy.” (Sen. Ernst, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JOHN BOOZMAN (R-AR): “My colleagues and I are optimistic that the tax reform framework will allow us to ensure that all Americans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their pockets, rather than Uncle Sam’s. As I visit with Arkansans about tax reform, I consistently hear they want a tax code that is fair and simple. This framework lays the groundwork for us to meet that goal, while at the same time making America more competitive in today’s global economy.” (Sen. Boozman, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. DAVID PERDUE (R-GA): “[W]e have to change this Tax Code to put people back to work, to get our economy going again, and to become competitive with the rest of the world…. The reason we want this Tax Code changed is to put people back to work and to change lives here in America.” (Sen. Perdue, Congressional Record, S. 6174, 9/27/2017)

SEN. THOM TILLIS (R-NC): “We have to have Members who have the courage to do tax reform that helps working families, that creates jobs … I believe this Congress, this Senate, over the course of a few months, if we focus on it and with the support of the President and in collaboration with the House, can get this done. We have to get it done.” (Sen. Tillis, Congressional Record, S. 6175, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): “My first goal in Tax Reform is helping middle-class families. I believe that this starts with doubling the standard deduction.” (Sen. Kennedy, @SenJohnKennedy, Twitter, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JAMES LANKFORD (R-OK): “We haven’t had meaningful tax reform since the 80s. It's past time to update & simplify our complicated code to reflect the 21st century. Very encouraged by direction of tax reform talks to alleviate some of the tax burden on both hardworking American families & job creators.” (Sen. Lankford, @SenatorLankford, Twitter, 9/27/2017)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): “I think that the principles that should govern tax reform are growth, fairness, and simplicity… You’ve got to have a real tax cut on small businesses, on job producers, on working families. That’s how we unleash the economy.” (Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria,” 9/27/2017)

SENS. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL) and MIKE LEE (R-UT): “It is clear from the release of the Big Six framework today that an enhanced child tax credit remains the best way to provide meaningful tax relief for working American families. We are very encouraged by the plan’s priority for a ‘significantly increased’ child credit as its vehicle for this relief, and applaud the tax writers for this choice…. Tax reform should focus on addressing the present-day challenges facing working families. We look forward to working with the administration and tax writing committees to ensure that these families are first in line for tax relief.” (Sen. Rubio, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. JERRY MORAN (R-KS): “It has been more than 30 years since President Reagan signed the 1986 Tax Reform Act – the economy was entirely different and the way we do business across the world has changed drastically. Americans can no longer afford the status quo of an outdated and complicated tax system. Today’s tax reform framework is a first step toward growing our economy, boosting small businesses, creating new jobs and keeping good jobs here at home. Creating a fairer and simpler tax code means better days for working families and higher paying jobs in Kansas and across the country. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration on this tax reform framework.” (Sen. Moran, Press Release, 9/27/2017)

SEN. TODD YOUNG (R-IN): “President Trump made a convincing case today that this tax reform package will boost the economy and increase the take-home pay of every Hoosier. For the first time in 30 years, the prospects for a simpler tax code that lowers taxes for the working class and provides relief for small business owners look good. Let’s seize this opportunity and deliver on our promises to the American people.” (Sen. Young, Press Release, 9/27/2017)