Senate Tax Bill Is Tough on Hungry and Poor People
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World today expressed concern that the tax bill proposed by the Senate would raise taxes on low-income and middle-class families.
“This bill isn’t a tax cut – it’s a tax hike on working- and middle-class Americans,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “We should not be raising taxes on low-income and middle-class families to pay for tax cuts for companies and for high-income people.”
The Senate bill will significantly raise taxes on the lowest earners, those making between $10,000 and $30,000, starting in 2021, according to an analysis released by the Joint Committee on Taxation, which provides Congress with nonpartisan analysis on tax legislation. In 2027, everyone earning less than $75,000 would see a significant net increase in taxes.
“If this bill passes tens of millions of Americans would see their taxes go up,” Beckmann said.
The tax bill does nothing to help working Americans and their families. It fails to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit, and would end the CTC for some immigrant families.
Bread is also concerned that the bill would repeal the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Repealing the mandate would increase the number of people without health insurance by 13 million, including 5 million on Medicaid, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The budget resolution that permits $1.5 trillion in deficit spending for this tax bill also outlines more than $2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other vital safety-net programs.
“Cutting taxes for high-income people by running up the deficit will almost certainly lead to deep cuts in programs that are important to hungry and poor people,” Beckmann said.
“Thanksgiving is a time of sharing,” Beckmann noted. “One way to get ready for Thanksgiving is to urge senators to vote against this bill.”
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger and Poverty in Puerto Rico
Even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, hunger and food insecurity were much more common among Puerto Ricans than among their fellow U.S. citizens in the 50 states.
Before...
Fact Sheet: Fortified for Life. How the U.S. Government Supports Global Nutrition.
Good nutrition is a critical part of ensuring that all human beings can use their bodies and minds to live an active life and reach their full potential.
For Faith
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...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
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.
Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.
Overly harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences have contributed to the rapid increase of our country’s prison population. The...