Washington (December 2, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after voting in opposition to the Tax Reconciliation Act, the Republican so-called tax reform bill.

“In the dead of night, Senate Republicans turned their backs on the middle class, along with any legislative standards, all to fulfill their sacred obligation to the super wealthy and corporate donors to whom they promised massive tax breaks. Senate Republicans chose to support handwritten tax legislation that was crafted in secret and read by none of their members rather than engage in a sensible, bipartisan tax reform process. This tax scam is a Trojan horse of giveaways, saddling students, workers, and the middle class families with trillions of dollars in debt just to finance tax cuts for the one percent. And once that tax bill comes due, we know that Republicans will have sharpened their knives, ready to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security and make good on their ancient animosity for these bedrock programs. This tax legislation is heartless, fiscally irresponsible, and a betrayal of American families working for a fair shot.”

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