AFT on House Tax Vote

WASHINGTON—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten following the House vote on the GOP tax proposal:

“So much for the party of Lincoln and a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” The Republican House just voted to radically transform our economy to further benefit the wealthy, corporations and their donors at the expense of working-class folks.

“It’s crystal clear who loses in this bill: anyone who owns a house or is hoping to become a homeowner; teachers who count on a deduction to defray the money they spend out of their own pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms; people with long-term or chronic illness, who will no longer be able to deduct their medical expenses; students and those with student loan debt, who won’t be able to deduct student loan interest or tuition assistance; union members, who deduct their union dues; public schools, parents and students; and states and local communities that, because of the loss of the state and local tax deduction, won’t be able to fund the services people depend on, including first responders. And the winners are those who are already wealthy and powerful, who will get huge tax breaks and benefits from this bill.

“We thank the Republican members who had the courage to stand up for the people in their districts over President Trump, Paul Ryan and Republican donors by voting against this bill. It’s now up to the Senate to reject this cruel and heartless proposal and focus on a tax agenda that helps the middle class instead of ripping away economic opportunity and security from the American people.”