If Congress wants to find out the best strategy to ensure long-term success on tax reform, it must look to its history. The last time Congress passed a comprehensive, bipartisan overhaul of our tax system was over three decades ago. The 1986 tax reform drive was successful because it was an open, bipartisan effort.
Since that time, our economy has seen tremendous change, from increased global interconnectivity to the use of automation and radical restructuring of work. Every single American has seen this change in their personal lives. For some, it has improved their lives, but for too many, it has created a continuous struggle to find a good-paying job.
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.
As the economy has changed, the tax code has remained the same and it must be updated to reflect the current economic landscape. 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.
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.
In July, the Big Six group of Republicans working on taxes said they expected tax reform legislation "to move through the committees this fall, under regular order, followed by consideration on the House and Senate floors.” Today, however, Republicans are not on a path to follow through. In fact, they are on the path to doing the opposite.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has said in recent interviews that he thinks it would be a “big mistake” not to use the reconciliation process for tax reform — the same failed, partisan process Republicans used in their attempts to repeal health care. If we want to increase our chances of passing real reform, we must remember to look to our history and use the bipartisan process of regular order
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. The American people want to see Democrats and Republicans stop the partisan bickering and do our job — to govern.
Since that time, our economy has seen tremendous change, from increased global interconnectivity to the use of automation and radical restructuring of work. Every single American has seen this change in their personal lives. For some, it has improved their lives, but for too many, it has created a continuous struggle to find a good-paying job.
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.
As the economy has changed, the tax code has remained the same and it must be updated to reflect the current economic landscape. 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.
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.
In July, the Big Six group of Republicans working on taxes said they expected tax reform legislation "to move through the committees this fall, under regular order, followed by consideration on the House and Senate floors.” Today, however, Republicans are not on a path to follow through. In fact, they are on the path to doing the opposite.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has said in recent interviews that he thinks it would be a “big mistake” not to use the reconciliation process for tax reform — the same failed, partisan process Republicans used in their attempts to repeal health care. If we want to increase our chances of passing real reform, we must remember to look to our history and use the bipartisan process of regular order
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. The American people want to see Democrats and Republicans stop the partisan bickering and do our job — to govern.