Ruiz Votes Against Tax Plan That Increases Burden on Middle-Class Families, Seniors, Students, and Veterans

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) issued the following statement after voting against H.R.1, the Republican tax plan that would raise taxes on middle-class families.

"I believe we must simplify our tax code and pass a tax reform package that relieves the burden on middle-class families, seniors, veterans, and our students, but unfortunately overall this current tax plan does the opposite. That is why today I voted against H.R.1, which will raise taxes on 36 million middle-class families, disproportionately burden Californians, and make massive cuts to Medicare to pay for tax relief for millionaires and billionaires."

"Under this plan, my constituents will be double taxed on their income, homeowners across California will see the value of their homes decrease by as much as 10 percent, and seniors will see Medicare cut by $100 billion within the next four years. Veterans in my district will find it harder to get work or a place to live because this bill eliminates tax credits for hiring veterans and harms efforts to end veteran homelessness. Students will get hit with one of the largest relative tax increases, making it harder for them to afford to finish their education. This plan does all this while giving tax breaks to the extremely wealthy and big corporations that ship jobs overseas and adding $1.4 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. This is irresponsible and unacceptable. I encourage an open, transparent, and bipartisan effort to simplify our tax code and pass tax reform that grows the economy by supporting seniors, small businesses, and middle-class families."

###