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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (SC) delivered the following statement during debate on H.R. 1 (as prepared for delivery):

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Ryan/McConnell tax scam bill.  This bill should be named, “the Republican Donor-Class Relief Act.”  Because that’s what it is, and several of my Republican colleagues and many in the media have publicly admitted as much.

This tax-scam bill represents a grotesque set of priorities revealing deep depravity of American values.  One of the first principles of our Judeo/Christian value system is grounded in what we do “for the least of these.”

From the outset, this bill violates that principle by lowering the marginal rates on the wealthiest among us by 2.6 points; while raising those rates on “the least among us” by 2 points.  This tax-scam bill adds insult to that injurious act by doubling the estate tax exemption from $11 million to $22 million.

The Republicans add further insult to injury by lowering the tax rates for corporations by 14 points while raising taxes on 86 million middle income families. It makes the tax cuts for corporations permanent and the miniscule individual cuts temporary, while also kicking 13 million people off their health insurance and increasing premiums for millions more.

This tax scam caps deductions for state and local taxes, and home mortgages; and adds over $2 trillion dollars to the deficit. Our children and grandchildren will be left with the bill.

Mr. Speaker, history will not treat kindly the crass cruelty of this so-called Christmas “gift” to hard-working Americans.”