Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, and Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement about the passage in the House of the reckless GOP Tax Scam:

“Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives cast a reckless and irresponsible vote for greed. Today, Republicans in the House gleefully chose to enrich wealthy corporations and the top one percent with a $1.7 trillion tax cut paid for by raising taxes on working and middle-class families.

“Republicans adopted their massive tax plan in the face of strong opposition from House Democrats and a majority of the American people who saw it for what it truly is: a cruel and immoral GOP Tax Scam that will explode our nation’s deficit and hurt poor, working, and middle-class families.

“The $1.7 trillion tax giveaway to wealthy corporations and the top 1% comes a great cost to ordinary Americans. Experts say the GOP Tax Scam will grow the deficit by $2.2 trillion over ten years; and will require an estimated $5.4 trillion cut in funding for the programs ordinary Americans depend on for health security, educational opportunity, and economic progress.

“People in my district who are still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey will suffer under this plan. Last evening, nearly 8000 of my constituents took time out of their busy schedules to join me in a tele-townhall to discuss the tax scheme. Like most Americans, they are not fooled and know that trickle-down economics has never worked.

“Super-wealthy corporations and individuals will reap windfalls under the GOP Tax Scam, while millions of middle-class and working families will see their taxes go up. This is an outrage that our nation simply cannot afford. Wealthy corporations and the top one percent must pay their fair share instead of receiving a free lunch at the expense of those who are most in need of a helping hand.

“That is why I will continue to fight against this plan as it moves through the Senate. Americans still have time to make their voices heard to prevent this heartless proposal from ever becoming law.”