President Donald Trump’s tax proposal introduced Wednesday was brief, centered mostly on tax cuts and didn’t give much detail.
However, it was enough to draw strong opinions from critics and supporters alike.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., is a harsh critic of Trump and his policies, and his comments on the tax proposal certainly show it.
“This scheme is a massive tax giveaway to millionaires, billionaires and big corporations at the expense of middle class families in Pennsylvania,” Casey said. “This tax plan may help the wealthiest and the biggest corporations avoid paying their fair share, but it won’t create jobs, increase middle class incomes or grow our economy.
“At the same time President Trump and far right Congressional Republicans are planning to cut taxes for those at the very top, they are pushing a budget plan that cuts funding for our schools and money for community economic development while endangering programs like Meals on Wheels which serves 100,000 seniors across our state,” Casey continued. “Instead of going along with the extreme agenda of Congressional Republicans, President Trump should work on a bipartisan plan that helps middle class families.”
At the same time, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Congressman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., both applauded Trump’s efforts at prioritizing tax reform.
Trump’s proposal contains measures that would simplify tax returns for individuals, which Thompson lauded.
The congressman said, “For too long, American taxpayers have dealt with a cumbersome system that only works for those with an army of accountants and lawyers. That is not reality for the average American and we must promote a system that is straightforward, focuses on job growth, and is responsive to the nature of the American economy, which is evolving as we move further into the 21st Century.
“We must restructure the code to unleash the true potential of the American economy and America’s innovators and small businesses,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Senate and the Administration as we work on this issue.”
Toomey called the president’s proposal pro-growth and said it focused on job creation.
“Simplifying the code, lowering high tax rates, and eliminating special interest loopholes will promote domestic economic growth, create jobs, and raise wages,” Toomey said. “Rather than conforming to arbitrary budget constraints, the President’s plan rightfully aims to jumpstart investment, which will produce significantly more revenue for the Treasury over the long-term than any revenue-neutral tax plan could generate. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate and the Administration to develop and refine a solid pro-growth plan.”
He, too, spoke about the middle class, but in contrast to Casey’s concerns.
“The best economic stimulus for the middle class, who have seen their wages stagnate and tax bills rise over the last decade, is a well-paying job,” Toomey said. “The President’s plan will help deliver this goal with its focus on lower rates, investment, and growth.
“His predecessor, President Obama, imposed nearly $2 trillion in tax increases on the American people and massive increases in government spending,” the senator continued. “The result was as disappointing as it was unsurprising. We had the slowest post-recession recovery since World War II, weak job growth, and stagnant household income. Tax reform should not lock in the excessive taxes that helped cause this weak economy.”
