On the recordNovember 16, 2017
I thank Mr. Larson for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Republicans can dress it up and call it good names, but that will not change the fact that H.R. 1 is a scam that will be perpetrated on America's middle-income families. This bill will make it harder to own a home, raise a family, and afford a postsecondary education. It should come as no surprise that President Trump wanted to call the bill: ``Cut, Cut, Cut.'' That would have been apropos. The first cut is for him and his family, the second cut is for his wealthy friends, and the third cut is for large corporations and businesses that ship jobs overseas. H.R. 1 certainly does not cut taxes for middle-income families or small businesses; in fact, it does just the opposite. Under H.R. 1, millions of Americans, middle-income families, will pay more--500,000 of whom live in South Carolina. Middle-income families and first-time homeowners who utilize mortgage interest deductions will pay more, because the GOP scam lowers the cap, making homeownership more expensive and driving down property taxes for current homeowners. Middle-income families with children in college or recent graduates will pay more, because the GOP scam eliminates deductions for interest on student loans. This includes 12 million American families, 156,000 of whom are South Carolinians.…





