Overwhelming Support for Tax Reform

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By USDR.

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), a senior member of the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee, found tax day (April 15) an appropriate time to weigh in on the issue:

“The U.S. tax code is too costly, complex and unfair – but mostly unfair. Especially to hardworking taxpayers, local businesses and America’s economy.”

A national survey by Texas-based polling firm Baselice & Associates shows 80% of voters support Congress ‘acting now to fix the tax code by making it fairer, flatter and simpler’. Eighty six percent of Republicans support reform, followed by 79% of Democrats and 76% of independent voters.

“Americans agree: We need a simpler, fairer tax code that’s built for growth and makes our economy healthier. It should close loopholes and limit deductions to lower tax rates for everybody. Small businesses shouldn’t pay higher tax rates than big businesses, and real reform should stop encouraging companies to shift jobs overseas.”

“I believe a 21st century tax code shouldn’t raise taxes to bail out Washington’s spending problem. It should limit spending, rein in the IRS and strengthen America’s economy to begin paying down our national debt.”

The Obama administration has already fired back with a veto threat. In response to those threats issued today on two tax relief measures to be considered by the U.S. House this week (permanently extending the state and local sales tax deduction and repealing the federal estate, or Death Tax), the author of the bills Rep. Brady (R-Texas) issued the fired back:

“Why is the President turning his back on hardworking taxpayers? Middle class economics should be about helping families keep more of what they earn in sales tax states, and supporting family-owned farms and businesses – many of them being grown by women and minorities building wealth for the first time so their children and grandchildren have greater opportunities in this great land.”

Background: Brady and his Republican colleagues on the Ways & Means Committee have worked the past three years to develop the first top-to-bottom tax reform proposal since 1986. The draft – a starting point for tax reform debate in America – was unveiled by former committee chairman Dave Camp in 2014. Current chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is making tax reform his signature issue for the Ways & Means Committee.