Tax Bill Sets the Stage for Huge Cuts in Programs for Low- and Middle-Income Families
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World today expressed disappointment over passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
“This tax bill is part of a 1-2 punch,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “President Trump and congressional leaders have already announced plans to follow this tax cut, mainly for high-income people, with a big push to cut more than $2 trillion from social programs for low-and middle-income people.”
The bill is projected to add at least $1.5 trillion to the deficit. Congressional leaders will likely cite federal deficits as a reason for deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other crucial programs that keep people out of hunger and poverty.
The bill also raises taxes on the lowest earners, those making between $10,000 and $30,000, starting in 2021. Tax cuts for all individuals and families expire at the end of 2027, and millions earning less than $75,000 would then see a significant net increase in taxes. The corporate tax cuts in the bill are permanent.
“Tax cuts for corporations and high-income people are not the best way to expand job opportunities for low- and middle-income people,” Beckmann said.
In addition, the bill repeals the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Without the mandate, 5 million of the most vulnerable Americans could lose their Medicaid coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
“Christmas is supposed to be a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior by giving to those who are less fortunate,” Beckmann noted. “But Congress just gave away a lot of money in a way that only harms and threatens needy people.”
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
Election Resources
One of the best times to raise the issues of hunger and poverty is during election campaigns. Engage candidates in your state/district on hunger and poverty using our elections resources.Fact Sheet: Expand the Child Tax Credit to Significantly Reduce Child Hunger
Expanding the CTC would do more to reduce hunger and poverty among our nation's children than any single policy has in decades.Racially Equitable Responses to Hunger During COVID-19 and Beyond
Food insecurity and COVID-19 have a reciprocal relationship. Learn more.
For Faith
Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
The Bible on...
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.