Not Time for "Business as Usual"

Statement

U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee Ranking Member responded to President Trump's remarks yesterday and Rep. Kevin Brady's Republican tax-writing retreat taking place at Rancho del Cielo in California, today. Rep. Doggett said:

"I call on my Republican colleagues to announce a new plan today. Instead of teaming up with Trump to obtain more costly tax breaks for the superrich, they need to lay out a plan to contain Trump. Only hours after he included among his "very fine people' those who march in torch-lit processions shouting racist and anti-Jewish slurs and carrying Nazi flags, this is certainly not a time for more "business as usual.' Now is not the time for another tax payoff. Almost every day, Trump sullies the high office he holds and endangers our values and families.

"Yes, Republicans have kept mostly moot while Trump engages in one wrong after another in hopes that he will provide them the golden ticket for huge tax breaks. But this time, Trump has gone far too far. Republicans must begin anew at this afternoon's Reagan Library event by announcing that they will no longer cover up the tax returns of Trump and his business enterprises. They should then accompany any tax plan they propose with a line-by-line report of how much Trump, his family, and his companies will benefit from each one. And announce a series of public hearings to explore every aspect of their plan.

"But more than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few, the crown jewel of Republican dogma, we need an overall House plan of how to use our constitutional system of checks and balances to discourage violence, ensure our democracy's stability, and contain this erratic, dangerous president."

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