The Blue Dog Coalition Calls for Bipartisan Tax Reform
The last time Congress passed a comprehensive, bipartisan overhaul of our tax system was over three decades ago. The 1986 tax reform package was successfully enacted because it was a bipartisan effort, and that made long-lasting reform possible and durable. Since that time, our economy has seen tremendous change, from increased global interconnectivity, to the use of automation and radical restructuring of work. Today, it is widely recognized that our tax code must be updated to reflect the current economic landscape.
While our economy continues to stabilize and improve from the Great Recession, we must recognize that too many American families are not benefiting from the recovery and are still struggling to get by. The reality is that too many communities across the country feel as though Washington has fallen out of touch with the struggles they face, particularly communities that have seen local companies shut down and move jobs elsewhere. We have to create incentives for companies to create jobs, increase wages and bring production back to the communities that feel left behind. It is our job in Congress to work together to develop policies that create good-paying jobs, strengthen the middle class, and allow small businesses and companies to thrive, spurring economic growth.
Our tax code did not become as complex as it is today overnight. Improving the tax code will require sustained effort to examine real life, practical impacts of our laws on day-to-day individual and business decisions. Tax reform will only succeed in the long-term if Congress does the work to examine how different parts of the code interact with each other and addresses the trade-offs inherent in making changes.
We must remember that tax reform is not just about raising or reducing tax rates, it’s about an opportunity for Americans to attain the American Dream. If done right, tax reform can provide relief to middle-class families, encourage long-term savings and investment, spur job creation and investment in the United States, and promote economic growth and innovation. The Blue Dogs believe tax reform proposals must be considered in the context of overall budget decisions and congressional decision-making on national priorities. Tax reform must not come at the expense of breaking commitments to the American people or worsening our national debt.
The American people want a long-term, sustainable solution on tax reform, and that requires a bipartisan approach. Without a bipartisan solution, the American people, small businesses, and larger employers will have to deal with potential uncertainty and, in turn, will have trouble planning finances and making key business decisions. A partisan solution is not a sustainable solution for tax reform.
Since its founding in 1995, the Blue Dog Coalition has served as a bridge from Democrats to Republicans on important legislation. In a time when the American people worry about extreme partisanship and whether Congress can get things done on their behalf, the Blue Dogs stand ready to help move our country forward. Today, we call on congressional Republicans to stop catering to the extremes of their party and to give the Blue Dog Coalition a real seat at the negotiating table on tax reform. Because at the end of the day, what the American people want is for Democrats and Republicans to stop the partisan bickering and to do our job — to govern.
As the first step in any negotiation process, you must know your principles. Our process for developing principles on tax reform was informed by the trade-offs of certain policy decisions and the potential opportunities with reforming our tax code. The Blue Dogs have spent this year discussing tax reform with our constituents, congressional Democrats and Republicans, various stakeholders including representatives of the business community, labor unions, think tanks, consumer advocates, bipartisan policy experts, and the White House. We have received input from a broad range of groups that altogether touch nearly every aspect of the lives of the American people. And our strong connection with our districts informs us about what the most vital policies are with respect to tax reform and the Main Street impacts in our communities.
Ultimately, our hope is that our tax reform principles are a first step in a larger negotiation process with congressional Republicans to make good on our promise to come together and work on behalf of the American people to create a long-term, sustainable solution.
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OTHER POSTS ON THE BLUE DOG VISION FOR TAX REFORM:
Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform
How the GOP Framework Compares to the Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform
What They are Saying About the Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform
What the American People are Saying About Tax Reform and Other Issues
