(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It’s been over a year of the Republican trifecta in Washington, and the people still are left wondering when Republicans will finally come to the table ready to do something to make their lives easier, more affordable, and better.
Once promising relief, no new wars, and a stronger economy, the President has delivered the exact opposite. Soaring costs, growing conflicts abroad, and an economy increasingly unsteady and further out of reach for working families. Under Republicans’ watch, gas is nearing $4 a gallon, up 34% in just a month! Coffee has turned into a luxury with prices surging 26%. And Americans wanting to treat their families to a steak tonight can bet Trump added 13% to the bill. Yet, instead of tackling the costs they’ve driven up, Republicans are once again filling the House floor with busy work. What’s being marked up today won’t bring down costs or unlock opportunity, and any impact of the legislation here starts at-risk of the President’s ongoing rampage against taxpayer services.
As I’ve said repeatedly: the American people are owed a functional, transparent IRS that administers tax policy diligently and fairly. But in order to achieve that, the IRS needs to be adequately staffed, funded, and supported, set up to succeed and uphold the law. Democrats understand this, and it’s why when we were in charge, we made investments that lowered wait times, saved people money, collected billions in owed taxes from rich evaders, and better positioned the IRS for the future.
Unfortunately, House Republicans and the Trump Administration don’t share that vision. Their purge of dedicated workers who process tax returns and answer the customer service lines are leading to delays, service interruptions, and more headaches. Added bureaucracy by the President is currently holding the tax refunds of 1.4 million taxpayers hostage. Republican failure is costing families money and time while letting the ultra-rich off the hook. Addressing that is where our attention should be.
And the President’s willingness to extend his campaign of political retribution to families in need undermines any effort to expand disaster relief today. Earlier this week, Politico reported that under Trump, states with Democratic governors only had their disaster funding requests approved 23 percent of the time. For states with Republican governors, that number nearly quadruples, to 89 percent. Would Republicans like to put anything on the table that ensures the President can’t choose favorites when it comes to who gets help when their homes burn down?
The people deserve more than cosmetic fixes by a majority not interested in changing course. They need policies that will reverse the President’s harm and make their lives easier and fairer. Republicans’ record has been etched. The people are reminded of it every time they go to the checkout line, look at a medical bill, fill up their gas tank, or go to the airport.
More of the same failed playbook isn’t going to fix that. Democrats are the only ones in Washington fighting for a different path that brings fairness back, ends the President’s cruelty, and delivers sustained relief for working families.
I yield back.
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