Collins praises passage of tax reform, while Schumer and Gillibrand vote against it
WASHINGTON — The Senate narrowly passed a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax bill early this morning, legislation that will affect families, small business owners and large multinational corporations.
New York’s senators, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, joined other Democrats in opposing the bill.
“What a disgrace,” Gillibrand tweeted early this morning. “Families in New York and across the country deserve so much better than this bill.”
Schumer said Republicans “rebuffed” input from Democrats on the legislation.
“In my long career in politics, I have not seen a more regressive piece of legislation, so devoid of a rationale, so ill-suited for the condition of the country, so removed from the reality of what the American people need,” Schumer tweeted.
Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) released the following statement after the United States Senate passed tax reform legislation:
“Now that the Senate has passed tax reform, we are one step closer to delivering on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to replace our outdated and complicated tax code,” he said. “By doubling the standard deduction, lowering tax rates, and enhancing the family tax credit, families in Western New York will be able to keep more of what they earn. Tax reform will unleash America’s competitiveness and bring jobs and profits back home, where they belong. While there are differences in the House and Senate versions of the legislation, we will find common ground in conference and get this important bill to President Trump’s desk.”
President Donald Trump sent a celebratory tweet early this morning: “We are one step closer to delivering MASSIVE tax cuts for working families across America. Special thanks to @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell and Chairman @SenOrrinHatch for shepherding our bill through the Senate. Look forward to signing a final bill before Christmas!”
UPDATED 10:10 a.m. with this statement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “Late last night, the Senate passed a tax bill that slashes tax rates for corporations and is hugely advantageous for the wealthiest Americans. These cuts will be paid for by working and middle class families across our nation. It will hit New York hardest. With this plan, Republicans in Congress are robbing New Yorkers of billions of dollars, endangering the health care of millions of Americans, and exploding the federal deficit. The devastating impacts both intended, as well as unintended given the rushed, secretive approach taken in writing and voting on this plan cannot be overstated. To implement discredited trickle-down economics and repeal health care for millions under the cover of tax reform before the public, or even every Senator can be informed of the details in the plan, is proof positive of just how bad that plan is.
“The bill is financed in large part by almost entirely eliminating deductions of state and local taxes, a bedrock principle underpinning our tax law since its inception. Eliminating this deduction means that New York will effectively serve as a piggy bank to finance tax cuts for other states. This plan is a sham that does not deliver on the GOP promise to help the middle class. It reflects upside down priorities – it helps the rich and corporations and does nothing to deliver on their false promise to our middle class citizens.
“The four members of the Republican delegation, who supported the House version of this unfair, unequal and economically devastating plan, betrayed their constituents. It is now time for New York’s entire Republican delegation to put New Yorkers first, vote the right way and tell their party leadership that they will not allow us to be pawns in a political agenda that inflicts financial pain on Democratic states at the direct expense of the Americans who call them home, all to benefit corporations and the wealthiest among us.”
