U.S. Bishops Chairman Urges Prudence and Thoughtful Deliberation on Tax Reform

WASHINGTON—Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida,Chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urgedthe U.S. House of Representatives toward prudence, ensuring that they and thenation understand fully the impacts of tax reform proposals before voting onthem.

November 3, 2017

WASHINGTON—Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida,Chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urgedthe U.S. House of Representatives toward prudence, ensuring that they and thenation understand fully the impacts of tax reform proposals before voting onthem.

The full statement follows:

"The USCCB is currently studying the U.S. House ofRepresentatives' 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,' which wasreleased yesterday, and will be releasing a more detailed statement soon. Thechanges proposed in this bill are significant and complex, affecting the entirenation. Current information indicates that the House is planning to move thisbill quickly through the legislative process. However, prudence requires that membersof Congress and the people of the country have adequate time to fullyunderstand and debate the consequences of any tax bill so that decisions servethe dignity of the human person and the common good. This is not a moment forhurried action, but thoughtful deliberation.

It is imperative, too, that lawmakers consider the taxbill through the lens of the moral principles outlined in our letter of oneweek ago:

  • Caringfor the poor;

  • Strengtheningfamilies;

  • Maintainingprogressivity of the tax code;

  • Raisingadequate revenue for the common good;

  • Avoidingcuts to poverty programs to finance tax reform;

  • Incentivizingcharitable giving and development.

A clear understanding and careful consideration of theimpacts of these tax proposals is essential for the sake of all people, butparticularly the poor."

Bishop Dewane's October 25 letter can be found at: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/federal-budget/upload/Tax-Reform-Principles-Letter-Congress-2017-10-25.pdf.

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank J. Dewane,USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, U.S. House ofRepresentatives, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxreform, common good, moral principles.

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