Congressman Cleaver Releases Statement on House Tax Bill

(Kansas City, MO) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement after the passage of the tax bill.

"It was truly disappointing to witness the passage of the hastily drafted House tax plan yesterday. Like many Missourians, I support efforts to simplify the federal tax code; however, I strongly oppose shifting the tax burden from corporations onto hard-working, middle-class families. This tax plan would eliminate deductions that so many families, small business owners, and seniors rely on, such as: child care deductions, student loan payments, teachers' out-of-pocket expenses, and large medical bills due to cancer, Alzheimer's and other illnesses. For these reasons, I voted, "No" on H.R. 1. With a 90 year-old mother-in-law and a 96 year-old father and tens of thousands of seniors in my Congressional District, I could not in good conscience vote for a tax plan that does so little for them and for working Americans. This tax bill will drive up our national debt, adding at least $1.5 trillion to the debt and triggering over $136 Billion in spending cuts, including $25 Billion from Medicare in 2018. Congress should find a bi-partisan solution that would provide tax breaks without leaving this kind of debt burden for future generations."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov.