Auchincloss takes tax talk to Fox audience
Tells GOP there’s a deal to be had on cuts, with compromise
A Massachusetts Democrat is encouraging his conservative House colleagues to reach across the aisle where they might find compromise on a tax package, instead of passing a Republican offered plan which is almost certainly dead on arrival in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss penned an op-ed published by Fox News on Wednesday, titled “I’m a Democrat, and here’s what I think Republicans should do if they want to pass tax reform,” in which the Congressman from Newton tells House Republicans they may be able to put together a package that will pass the upper chamber and ultimately become law, but only if they work with Democrats.
“House Republicans have a new tax bill, and it’s more of the same. The Bush 43 tax cuts added more than $5 trillion to the debt and helped the rich. The Trump tax cuts added almost $2 trillion to the debt and helped the rich. These new tax cuts would add about $1 trillion to the debt, if extended permanently, and – you guessed it – help the rich,” he wrote. “This special-interest buffet won’t pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. It may not even pass the Republican-controlled House. But it still presents two opportunities worth watching.”
According to Auchincloss, talks of changes to the tax code give conservatives who run on fiscal responsibility a chance to regain credibility after passing the two previous Republican presidents’ deficit inducing tax cuts and then nearly causing a U.S. debt default by holding up a debt limit increase in pursuit of spending reductions.
“It’s easy to be a Republican who decries Democratic spending. A Republican who criticizes their own party’s reckless tax cuts could start a more productive conversation,” he wrote.
Reaching across the aisle has another upside, Auchincloss wrote, Republicans may actually pass a bill.
“Last term, Democrats got Republicans on board with investments in infrastructure and manufacturing; a gun-safety package; marriage equality; and democracy reform. Now Republicans have the House, and they are keen to take on taxes. If they want to actually pass a law, they should build on that bipartisan momentum,” he wrote.
Auchincloss suggests good places to start would be upping the Earned Income Tax Credit by 20% and paying for it by repealing cuts to the federal inheritance tax, reversing a Trump-tax-cut change in how research and development is taxed, and helping kids by considering again the fully refundable child tax credit, which in 2021 sent cash directly to parents.
“Dealmaking. That should be Republicans’ mantra in divided government. With their deficit-driving tax cut for the rich, they are burning yet more of their fiduciary credibility. Instead, they should be working with Democrats on prudent tax reforms to reward work, not wealth; to generate more R&D; and to help children,” he wrote.
According to Auchincloss’ staff, the congressman penned the op-ed and published it through conservative Fox News because speaking to the network’s audience is in keeping with his history of breaching the political divide to get work done.
“We can’t view people who disagree with us as the enemy,” his spokesperson said. “If we’re going to pass thoughtful policy we need to get people on our side.”
By: Matthew Medsger
Source: Boston Herald