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Congressman Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for December 5, 2017

December 7, 2017
e-Newsletters

Dear Friends,

While preparing for the holiday season, you may have heard that Republicans are working to deliver "gifts" to working Americans that raises taxes on tens of millions of middle-class families in order to hand deficit-exploding giveaways to corporations and the richest 1 percent.

The GOP tax scam includes ways to repeal the Affordable Care Act and ransacks Medicaid and Medicare of $1.5 trillion. President Trump has described his tax legislation as a great Christmas gift for Americans, but it is more like the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas."

As House and Senate Republicans go to conference this week to settle the differences between their monstrous proposals, the health of millions of Americans and key middle-class tax benefits are on the chopping block.

I voted against this legislation and will do so again because:

  • ACA Repeal: Senate Republicans added a provision to unravel the Affordable Care Act, spiking premiums and exploding the ranks of the uninsured by 13 million;
  • State and Local Tax Deduction: The House & Senate both impose an unfair double tax on middle class and working families, driving down home values, and endangering key funding for fire fighters, law enforcement and schools;
  • Bad for Georgia: More than 500,000 working Georgians will see their taxes raised an average of $670 by 2027;
  • Student Loan Interest Deduction & Lifetime Learning Credits: House Republicans pushed to destroy a key benefit for young graduates and workers getting the job training they need to succeed in the 21st century economy;
  • Medical Expense Deduction: House Republicans also pushed to destroy a key deduction claimed by nearly nine million American households, which helps families with children with disabilities, long-term care needs, a need for expensive fertility treatments and many others;
  • Mortgage Interest Deduction: House Republicans are assaulting the dream of middle-class homeownership in communities across America by capping the mortgage interest deduction.

On Nov.21, I hosted a telephone town hall to give constituents a detailed look into this tax legislation and for me to listen to their thoughts and concerns. Thousands of residents were on the call, but in case you missed it: here is a link to the town hall .

Issues:Justice & Court Reform