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Republican Tax Bill Helps the Rich, Undermines Social Programs

National Council of Jewish Women
1707 L Street NW, Suite 950
Washington, DC 20036-4206

Contact: Amanda Lang
Director of Marketing and Communications
212.870.2738

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Republican Tax Bill Helps the Rich, Undermines Social Programs

November 3, 2017, Washington, DC – The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today rejected the Republican tax bill as a gift to the rich, an assault on the federal budget, and a grievous wound to the First Amendment. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:

“The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) believes strongly that budgets and taxes must reflect our moral values. The House of Representatives, led by Majority Leader Paul Ryan, has come up with a tax plan that is severely skewed toward the rich. It would cut taxes for high income Americans in several ways that preserve the bias in the tax code favoring the richest taxpayers (some of whom avoid taxes altogether). In short, it helps those who need no help and undermines those who need help the most. As the tax debate begins, the ramifications will become even clearer.

“The plan fails to address the loopholes already in our tax code that pull money out of the federal budget to the benefit of wealthy Americans and corporations. Adding to the problem, the plan eliminates the estate (inheritance) tax that is paid now only by estates totaling $11 million or more – affecting only the wealthiest .2 percent of all estates. Ultimately tax deductions and credits (referred to as tax expenditures) mean billions in revenue that will not go to needed federal social programs.

“Additionally, tucked inside the tax plan is the elimination of the Johnson Amendment, a law decades old that bars houses of worship from contributing to or assisting political parties and candidates. The Amendment protects our religious intuitions from becoming enmeshed in partisan enterprises and enables them to better resist partisan pressures. Repeal is widely opposed by religious leaders.

“NCJW will aggressively oppose those parts of this tax plan that harm lower income wage earners and others struggling to make ends meet, and that threaten religious freedom. We urge the House of Representatives to adopt a budget that doesn’t increase the deficit, cut taxes for the wealthy and corporations, and hurt working families.”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.

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