Brian Fitzpatrick. File photo
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick voted in favor of a Republican-backed tax overhaul plan Thursday afternoon.
Fitzpatrick was part of the 227-205 majority that voted in favor of the tax plan that would cut the corporate tax and provide tax relief for most American households.
Fitzpatrick, a Republican former FBI special agent who also is an accountant, released the following statement following his vote:
“Tax reform has always been about three things: More American jobs. Bigger paychecks for middle class families. Fairer taxes for everyone. Today, the House took the first step toward enacting real tax reform for the first time in decades… and not a moment too soon. For years, wages stood stagnant and our gross domestic product hovered around an anemic 1.6 percent. American families can’t afford to wait to act to grow our economy. With today’s action, this Congress proved it is serious about standing up for middle class families and unleashing the power of the American economy. The positive impact of strong, sustained economic growth has the potential to not only help families make ends meet, but address a number of other pressures we face as a nation. It is my hope that the Senate takes this once-in-a-generation opportunity seriously and returns a reform bill that meets our shared goals and commitments.”
The Wall Street Journal reported the House of Representatives version of the wide-ranging bill would: “repeal the alternative minimum tax, increase the child tax credit, abolish the estate tax by 2025 and transform the U.S. system for taxing multinational corporations. The House plan would raise taxes on some people by removing personal exemptions and deductions for state and local income taxes, medical expenses and student loan interest.”
“This is something that’s going to refresh our confidence in ourselves and our confidence in each other,” House GOP leader Paul Ryan said before the vote on the bill.
Republicans clapped as the voted appeared to be in their favor.
While Republicans in the House seemed pleased, the Senate will now look at the bill and possibly make changes. The margin for passing tax reform in the Senate is more slim than in the House and some Republicans have raised concerns about certain aspects of it.
Democrats, including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, said the plan benefited wealthy business people and said it would harm Americans.
Fitzpatrick has talked since his campaign about overhauling the tax system. He has said that lower corporate taxes would help grow the economy.
