Burr, Tillis, McHenry, Meadows all back tax reform bill

Each of the four men, all Republicans, who represent Western North Carolina in Congress voted for the tax reform bill getting its final votes in Congress this week.

Below are statements they issued Tuesday and Wednesday explaining their votes, plus a statement criticizing the bill that the state Democratic Party released at midday Tuesday.

Sen. Richard Burr

“Today, we voted to jump-start our economy and save the average American family thousands each year. For far too long, our tax system has been a burden to the millions of middle-class class citizens that make up a majority of this country. This tax overhaul starts to get the government out of your pockets, and puts Main Street in the driver’s seat of the economy, not Washington. Included in the final bill are a doubling of the standard deduction, the child tax credit, and a repeal of Obamacare’s Individual Mandate tax that was crippling the lower- and middle-class. These historic tax cuts also include a number of provisions that I fought hard for, including the ABLE to Work Act, which allows individuals with disabilities to work and save their hard earned money in an ABLE account without risking the loss of their benefits. For most Americans, it also repeals the Individual Alternative Minimum Tax, a parallel tax system that adds layers of complexity to the current code. This reform is long overdue, and I look forward to the President signing the tax reform legislation and getting our economy moving again.”

Sen. Thom Tillis

“This tax reform package fulfills a long-standing promise to deliver tax relief that benefits hard-working Americans across our nation. Starting early next year, most North Carolina families will notice bigger paychecks as the federal government withholds less of their hard-earned money because of newly lowered tax rates and a significantly larger standard deduction. This historic legislation also provides a major boost to American businesses and makes our private sector even more competitive at the global level, which in turn will lead more jobs, higher wages for workers, and stronger economic growth. Today is a big win for American families and the American economy.”

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-Lincoln

“Today the House voted to fix our nation’s broken tax code with passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This vote fulfills our commitment to cut taxes on American families and provide American businesses with much-needed tax relief.
“This bill gives a $2,000 tax cut to an average family of four making $73,000 annually. It helps grow the American economy, which means more and better jobs. Small businesses will benefit from lower rates, while larger companies will be more competitive globally. I’m proud to support the passage of this bill and look forward to seeing President Trump sign this massive tax cut in to law."

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Buncombe

“Today is a momentous day for America. The forgotten men and women of our country voted to elect President Trump and a Republican Congress to fix our broken tax code that taxes Americans too highly, ships their jobs overseas, and directly undermines the fundamental principles that make America great. Passage of this bill is a monumental step toward doing just that. We're giving the American people their money back. We're making the country more competitive for job creation and wage growth. And we’re igniting the kind of economic growth that every American deserves. 

"Tonight, as the Senate passes tax reform and sends the bill to President Trump’s desk, the American people will finally begin to see the results from the Congress they voted for on November 8, 2016. Hopefully, we’re just getting started.”

North Carolina Democratic Party

"D.C. Republicans are poised to vote today on the final version of a tax scam that will hurt North Carolina’s middle-class families while offering generous giveaways to corporations and the wealthiest few.

"The newest bill, released Friday night after being crafted behind closed doors, looks worse for North Carolina than the original proposal thanks to a giant loophole benefiting real estate investors and provisions that could actually encourage companies to cut jobs.

"North Carolinians know putting corporations above everyday people doesn’t work – NC’s Republican lawmakers passed a similar proposal in 2013 that left our state’s education underfunded and our lowest earners struggling to make ends meet.

"While corporations will be gifted permanent tax cuts and North Carolina’s wealthiest 5% will receive over half of the tax cut share, low- and middle-income families will pay the price: 

"• Low- and middle-income North Carolinians will face a tax hike of nearly $300 on average in 2027.

"• Instead of reauthorizing CHIP, which provides health care for more than 256,000 North Carolina kids, the GOP has prioritized cutting the estate tax for the richest 110 families in North Carolina.

"• All provisions targeted to families are temporary, including last-minute changes to the Child Tax Credit.

"• The changes Republicans made to the Child Tax Credit will do nothing for children from low-income and minimum wage working families – including 355,000 children in North Carolina– who will still only get $75 at most. Meanwhile, wealthy families will receive the full benefit.

"Nationwide, the numbers are just as alarming: 

"• Nearly 13 million Americans will lose their health insurance

"• The tax scam will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. Republicans plan to use this as an excuse to cut Medicaid, Medicare, education, food stamps, and other critical programs families with children rely on.

"• The top 1% will receive 83% of the gains and the top 0.1% will receive 60% of the gains

" 'Once again, DC Republicans are rigging the system for their corporate backers and their donors and against the needs of working families,' said NCDP Executive Director Kimberly Reynolds. 'Hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians are going to pay the price for this tax scam, while the top 1% reap the benefits.' "