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Statement on Tax Bill Vote

December 19, 2017

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), released the below statement following his vote against the conference report on H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

"I cannot support this legislation that raises taxes on my constituents, undermines health care coverage for millions, and irresponsibly adds $1.5 trillion to our children's debt burden.

"This bill was not designed to help working families in Illinois, and in fact, eighty-three percent of the tax benefit goes to just the top one percent of earners.

"While those at the top reap the benefits, many middle-class families in my district will be saddled with higher taxes through the restriction of the state and local tax deduction, and higher health care premiums through the undercutting of the Affordable Care Act.

"The $1.5 trillion cost of this bill will be added to our already unsustainable national debt, and later cynically used to justify cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and other vital safety net programs that Americans depend on.

"We need to modernize our tax code, but this bill is a missed opportunity for which we will be paying the price for years to come. While this plan moves us in the wrong direction, I nevertheless remain willing to work across the aisle to achieve bipartisan, responsible reform."