Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, continued marking up the Ryan-McConnell tax bill today – offering amendments to help middle-class families afford housing and healthcare. The Republican bill would eliminate key deductions used by middle-class families, such as the medical expense deduction, the deduction for student loan interest and housing.

DelBene offered an amendment to expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit by 50 percent so more families have access to affordable housing.

“The Low Income Housing Tax Credit is a proven policy and we should be building on, not letting rot,” DelBene said. Video of her full remarks can be found HERE. “Tax reform is about choices, and right here we do have a choice to make. Are we focused on making sure we have a lavish 15 percent tax break for corporations and forcing more people to sleep on the streets? My constituents and people across the country, we have people struggling find a place to live, to afford housing. This is our opportunity to put this right again and we should actually be improving the low income housing tax credit, which has been a bipartisan program.”

DelBene also offered an amendment to permanently repeal the Cadillac Tax on healthcare plans, which harms working families with high-quality employer coverage, such as first responders. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, repealing the Cadillac Tax would help deliver health coverage to another 200,000 Americans.

“My amendment will, once and for all, repeal the tax that both Democrats and Republicans agree on, and give American families some certainty so they can plan. This tax on hardworking Americans’ healthcare plans disproportionately impacts people like the brave first responders who have been battling wildfires out west and delivering life-saving aid to people who have been impacted by recent hurricanes,” DelBene said. Video of her full remarks can be found HERE.

DelBene spoke in support of amendments to reinstate education tax deductions. Video can be found HERE.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to continue markup and pass the Republican tax bill tomorrow, with a vote on the House floor as early as next week. 

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