Doggett Requests Hearings on Middle-Income Tax Reform Impact

October 4, 2017

The Honorable Kevin Brady
Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means
1011 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Peter Roskam
Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee
2246 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Brady and Chairman Roskam:

With reports that you plan a mark-up of the Republican tax break plan this month, I write once again to urge you to hold a series of hearings examining the impact of the proposed tax changes on middle-class and working families and on our country’s fiscal health. While the Senate Finance Committee has at least begun to have hearings this fall, the Ways and Means Committee held none in September, and has yet to announce any for October.

The repeated failure of health repeal legislation jammed through the House without hearings and denying any opportunity to hear from expert witnesses or Administration officials should serve as a lesson: rushing through legislation impacting millions of lives without giving the American people the opportunity to understand its impact will not work.

The tax changes being proposed would impact the entire U.S. economy, and there are a number of key elements that deserve careful consideration. I would like to call your attention to the attached letter sent nearly four months ago, identifying some of these topics that have yet to be considered. I would add to that list hearings on your proposal’s impact regarding middle-class tax increases, retirement security, and the effect of borrowing so much to pay for tax breaks.

Consideration of tax changes should be a deliberative and bipartisan process with time to hear from a representative set of witnesses who hold a broad range of opinion. Without thorough consideration, the American people will not be able to determine whether the tax changes being proposed truly encourage job creation in the United States, avoid widening the income gap, maintain fiscal responsibility, and are not principally intended to further enriching President Trump and his family. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Doggett