Time Needed to Review Impact of Tax Plans, Says U.S. Bishops Chairman

WASHINGTON— As the U.S. Senate unveiled details of its tax reform proposal, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, called for prudence and adequate time for Americans to understand the impac

November 11, 2017

WASHINGTON— As the U.S. Senate unveiled details of its tax reform proposal, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, called for prudence and adequate time for Americans to understand the impacts of the bill. 

The full statement follows:

"Less than one week after the release of the U.S. House of Representatives' 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,' the U.S. Senate released a summary of its tax reform proposal. A mark-up of the language is apparently set for Monday, November 13, 2017. The USCCB released its fuller analysis of the House bill Thursday, and will review the Senate proposal carefully to provide a more detailed analysis of that bill as well.

However, Congress and the nation must have adequate time to understand these bills, as the financial wellbeing of every household and our society at large are at stake. Marking up a comprehensive revision to the tax code on the next business day from when initial language is released does not allow time for careful consideration of the effects of the proposals.   

It remains imperative that lawmakers examine the tax bill in light of the moral principles outlined in our letter of two weeks ago (https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/federal-budget/upload/Tax-Reform-Principles-Letter-Congress-2017-10-25.pdf):

  • Caring for the poor;

  • Strengthening families;

  • Maintaining progressivity of the tax code;

  • Raising adequate revenue for the common good;

  • Avoiding cuts to poverty programs to finance tax reform; and

  • Incentivizing charitable giving and development.

Knowledge takes time, and running feet miss the mark (cf. Prov. 19:2). Getting tax policy right is imperative for the sake of families, and particularly the poor, of our nation."    

The November 9 USCCB letter analyzing the House of Representatives tax reform bill can be found at:  https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/federal-budget/upload/Tax-Cuts-and-Jobs-Act-Letter-11-9-2017.pdf.

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, U.S. House of Representatives, tax reform proposal, comprehensive revision, tax code, moral principles, tax policy.

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