Rep. Walz Votes No on GOP Tax Bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Timothy J. Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following statement after voting against the conference report on the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1):

"Instead of working across the aisle to find common ground on real tax reform solutions, my Republican colleagues have once again rushed a vote on a partisan bill that would have a detrimental impact on millions of Americans. Under this legislation, 86 million middle class families would see their taxes increase; the funding for farm safety net programs our farmers rely on during tough times would be at risk; health insurance premiums would rise; 13 million fewer Americans would have health coverage; and the health and wellbeing of folks on Medicaid - including 1.75 million veterans - would be threatened as Republicans look to cut vital programs in the wake of the estimated $2.2 trillion this bill would add to our federal deficit.

"To make matters even worse, 83 percent of the tax cuts in this bill would go to the wealthiest one percent of Americans, many of whom belong to the political donor class that pours large sums of money into elections all across the nation. I believe this bill is evidence that the influence of money in our politics is taking a growing toll on the good we are capable of achieving here in Washington for working families back home. In order to ensure the voices of all those we are tasked with representing here on Capitol Hill are heard, it is imperative that we reform how campaigns are financed in this country."

Walz, who has been vocal about the harm the GOP tax bill would do to veterans, farmers and middle class families, announced a statement from Vice President Walter Mondale and Governor Arne Carlson on an earlier version of the Republican legislation in November. The full statement can be read here (https://walz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-walz-announces-statement-from-vice-president-mondale-and-governor).