MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, May 20th, the Democratic Faith Working Group, chaired by Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06), invited faith leaders to stand in solidarity in the U.S. Capitol House Gallery in support of Leader Jeffries and the Democratic Women’s Caucus as they shared stories about women and children who would be harmed by the proposed Medicaid and SNAP cuts in the Republican budget.

“The faith community has never waivered in calling out attacks against humanity, women, and children. That is who is bound to be penalized the most by these proposed budget cuts on healthcare and nutritional assistance,” said Congressman Clyburn. “Across traditions and cultures, people of faith are commanded to care for the least of these. My brothers and sisters in faith are here today to sound the alarm–the House Republican budget fails to care for the vulnerable, and it is incumbent upon all of us to correct this.”

To learn more about the Democratic Faith Working Group, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI), joined by Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ), introduced the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Elimination Act, which will repeal the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), an outdated, costly, and ineffective program that has primarily enriched politically-connected developers and banks, while doing little to reduce housing costs for low-income Americans.

Currently, LIHTC provides tax credits to developers to subsidize the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. These subsidies cover around 70% of a project’s cost. However, rather than benefiting tenants, the program has become a cash grab for developers and banks. The elimination of LIHTC will save taxpayers a staggering $69.1 billion over a ten-year period.

“The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is another way for developers to get rich, while hardworking taxpayers foot the bill,” said Grothman. “It’s absurd that the federal government is paying 70% of construction costs to private developers, who often use these funds to build lavish and costly housing units. We need to stop throwing money at a broken system and instead focus on reducing supply constraints that make it so difficult to build affordable housing in the first place.

“Despite its original intent, LIHTC fails to effectively serve low-income tenants. The primary beneficiaries are rich developers, banks, law firms, and state bureaucracies. Only 24% of the programs’ costs benefit low-income households in the form of rent savings. Its elimination will save taxpayer dollars, end the funneling of money to corrupt developers, and allow us to refocus on solutions that work for hardworking Americans.”

“Unfortunately, the government subsidy meant to ease the financial burden of tenants is ripe with abuse.  Instead of creating affordable housing for those who need it most, the program produces costly low-income housing and lines the pockets of greedy developers and banks,” said Congressman Paul Gosar.

“The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is a textbook case of good intentions gone wrong. After nearly four decades and billions in federal subsidies, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has done more for banks and developers than for struggling renters. It’s time Congress ended this inefficient corporate welfare program,” said Adam Michel, Director of Tax Policy Studies at the Cato Institute.

“Since its inception in 1986, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) has been plagued by the Five Cs: crowding out, cost, complexity, corruption, and cartel,” said Edward Pinto and Tobias Peter, Co-Directors AEI Housing Center. “LIHTC developments often displace housing that the private market would have produced without subsidies, creating a crowding-out effect. The cost to taxpayers is staggering, with the average LIHTC unit priced at approximately $450,000—compared to zero for private developments that would have otherwise been built. The program’s excessive complexity has given rise to a cartel-like ecosystem dominated by a small cadre of developers and nonprofits, who have profited handsomely, while calling for even more subsidies. This has bred corruption and inefficiency. At its core, LIHTC reflects a misguided emphasis on the futile task of building ever more expensive subsidized housing, rather than on policies that allow for the building of housing that is affordable. We applaud Representative Grothman for taking this step to sunset this fundamentally flawed program.”

Background Information

Currently, the federal government provides a tax credit, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), to developers to subsidize the construction and rehabilitation of housing units with income limits and rent caps for eligible tenants. These LIHTC tax credits subsidies cover roughly 70% of the cost of qualified housing projects.

A 2009 study found for a large sample of projects that the construction costs per square foot of LIHTC projects were 20 percent higher than for average industry projects.

Because of the complex structure of the program, most of the LIHTC benefits go to the developers and banks, rather than the tenants. A 2017 study found that “tenants capture at most 24% of the [LIHTC] development subsidies.” The ability for states and localities to dole out these lucrative tax credits breeds corruption and funneling subsidies to politically connected developers.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Elimination Act would end this costly, inefficient, and corrupt program. To lower housing costs, policymakers should focus on reducing supply constraints on housing, not funneling tax dollars to politically connected developers.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, repealing LIHTC would save taxpayers $69.1 billion over ten years.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) is serving his fifth term representing Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement in response to Judge Myong J. Joun’s order blocking the Trump Administration and the “Department of Government Efficiency’s” (DOGE) illegal efforts to gut the Department of Education and mandating the reinstatement of wrongfully terminated staff:

“This ruling is a victory for millions of students, educators, and families across the country who rely on the Department of Education’s programs, protections, and support. Judge Joun accurately determined that the Trump Administration and DOGE’s political purge of the Department of Education was unlawful and reaffirmed that the executive branch cannot unilaterally work toward abolishing a congressionally established agency without the approval of Congress. I am grateful that thanks to Judge Joun’s ruling, more than 1,300 wrongfully terminated employees must be reinstated to fulfill the Department’s statutorily mandated functions.

“Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon’s actions – reductions in force and the eliminations of entire offices, including key Office for Civil Rights (OCR) hubs – inhibited the Department from being able to carry out its statutory obligations. Their abuse of the federal civil service targeted attorneys, student aid workers, and civil rights office staff and had detrimental effects on our schools. It left millions of students and teachers without essential services they need, including the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and support for students with disabilities. Their attempted purge of the Department of Education is a direct assault on the protection of student’s rights and the promise of equal opportunity through education. It was a gross betrayal of American students.

“Today’s decision brings much-needed relief for students, educators, our public servants in the Department of Education, and civil rights across the country. It restores the rule of law and sends a clear message that our nation’s promise of equal educational opportunity cannot be unraveled by political whim.”

Beyer has been critical of illegal attempts by the Trump Administration and “DOGE” to dismantle the Department of Education, and has led efforts to restore the Department’s ability to fulfill its statutorily required mandates. He also met with Education Secretary Linda McMahon to discuss the serious harm these actions inflicted upon his constituents, and on students and educators across the country.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Issues Statement on Reconciliation Bill Vote

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) issued the following statement about the Reconciliation Vote earlier this morning:

“No expectant mothers, single parents, children, disabled, or elderly are losing SNAP or Medicaid benefits. That misinformation is being spread to try and scare people.

“By passing this bill, we will strengthen these programs through an audit of the programs, removal of those who should not be receiving benefits, and making sure that able-bodied adults without dependents are fulfilling work and volunteer requirements that are already in place for the program. Those who are eligible for Medicaid and SNAP are not touched by this bill. We protected those who need Medicaid and SNAP.

“We have also made the tax cuts permanent, saving the average Nebraska family of four making $80,000 from a tax increase of about $1,700.

“Additionally, this bill includes crucial defense spending increases, supplementing national defense by approximately $144 billion over four years, ensuring we can properly maintain our military readiness and take care of our troops. We’re strengthening our borders through a new $12 billion grant fund to support states’ border security efforts and approximately $90 billion in total border security investments.

“I worked closely with Republican leadership to advocate for the needs of Nebraskans and this bill, while not perfect, reflects that.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the following statement after House passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

“Early this morning, the House passed One Big Beautiful Bill with my support. This legislation includes the first updated reference prices for our farmers since 2018, which is a huge and overdue relief for the agricultural industry.

Vital tax relief for all Americans was in this legislation, including my provision to give some tax relief to combat-disabled Purple Heart recipients so they are not penalized for re-entering the workforce by giving them a one-year tax credit to make up for any loss of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits that they are entitled to.

This bill is a victory for America’s farmers, veterans, and taxpayers, and I urge the Senate to pass it quickly,” Rep. Scott said.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman issued the following statement after two members of the Israeli Embassy staff were gunned down outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. in what the FBI believes may be a targeted attack:

“Another brutal act of antisemitic terrorism. My deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who died in this brutal act. My sympathies are with all those who work at the Israeli embassy in Washington.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a major budget reconciliation package that delivers meaningful wins for working families, small businesses, and taxpayers in Virginia’s Sixth District.

“Today’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill is a big win for the American people and for families across Virginia’s Sixth District,” said Rep. Cline. “While the bill isn’t perfect, it delivers on the core promises House Republicans made—to secure our border, unleash American energy, rein in Washington’s reckless spending, and stop the largest tax hike in our Nation’s history.”

The bill includes sweeping reforms designed to provide relief and stability for hardworking Americans. Among its key provisions, the legislation eliminates taxes on tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest, delivers additional tax relief for seniors, makes no changes to Social Security or Medicare, strengthens Medicaid by cracking down on fraud and protecting access for those who need it most, and ensures robust funding for our national defense.

Congressman Cline also secured the inclusion of one of his top legislative priorities, the Hearing Protection Act, which he sponsored to remove suppressors from the outdated National Firearms Act of 1934.

“I’m proud that this legislation includes portions of the Hearing Protection Act,” Cline added. “This is a long-overdue win for law-abiding gun owners and a key step in defending our Second Amendment rights.”

Cline warned that failure to pass this bill would have severe consequences for families and small businesses in the Sixth District as the Trump tax cuts are set to expire. Without this legislation:

• The average taxpayer would face a 26% tax hike
• 78,150 families would see their Child Tax Credit cut in half
• 92% of taxpayers would have their Guaranteed Deduction slashed in half
• 51,860 small businesses would face a 43.4% tax rate if the 199A Small Business Deduction is allowed to expire
• 8,032 taxpayers would be hit by the return of the Alternative Minimum Tax
• 7,445 family-owned farms would lose half of their Death Tax exemption next year

The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

“I hope my colleagues in the Senate will move quickly so we can send this important bill to President Trump’s desk and continue delivering real results for the American people,” Cline said.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 1, Republicans’ sweeping tax reconciliation bill, which includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history.

“Under the cover of night, House Republicans jammed their egregious tax scam through Congress. Instead of providing leadership when it mattered most, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans shamefully bowed down to Donald Trump, shirking their responsibility to the people they were elected to represent and selling out hard-working Americans to benefit billionaires.

“The Republican budget will make America hungrier, poorer, and sicker. For more than 29 hours, House Democrats stood united to expose this bill for what it is: a tax scam that redistributes wealth to the ultra-rich while imposing the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history. It kicks an estimated 14 million Americans off their health care and slashes critical food assistance programs relied on by more than 42 million people, literally taking health care from the sick and food away from the hungry. All while adding trillions to the national debt to line the pockets of the wealthiest Americans, leaving future generations to bear the financial burden of their greed and irresponsibility.

“In their relentless attacks on basic health care, Republicans are also pushing to defund Planned Parenthood, which would close nearly 200 health centers, cut off care for more than a million people, and restrict access to life-saving services including reproductive and sexual health care, birth control, maternity care, cancer screenings, behavioral health, and abortion care.

“From day one, Republicans refused to meaningfully engage with Democrats or the American people. They shut us out of the process, schemed its passage behind closed doors, and held votes and committee meetings in the dead of night to hide the harm this bill would inflict on millions of Americans. Now, their tax scheme is one step closer to upending the lives of working families, piling new burdens onto Americans already struggling in an unstable economy made worse by Trump’s reckless tax and trade policies. Republicans have shown no interest in lowering costs or making the American Dream more attainable. Their only interest lies in a blind loyalty to Trump and a callous indifference to the people they were elected to serve.

“But let me be clear: this is not the end. Every single House Democrat voted no on this cruel and despicable bill, and we will continue to fight it every step of the way. We are united in our opposition, and as this bill moves through the legislative process, we will use every tool at our disposal to stop it in its tracks. The American people deserve better, and we are not backing down.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Budget

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill voted against the Republican budget and reconciliation package, which includes extreme cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and education funding, raising costs for New Jerseyans while providing tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Additionally, the package fails to repeal the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, an unfair double-tax on New Jersey families. 

“Once again, Donald Trump and House Republicans are pushing a budget that prioritizes tax cuts for billionaires over the needs of working families. This package slashes $736 billion from Medicaid and will take away health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. It eliminates food assistance for vulnerable communities, strips funding from students, and pulls back funding for programs that help lower energy costs, all while adding $3.3 trillion to the national deficit through massive tax cuts for Trump’s donors like Elon Musk.

“Moreover, this budget fails to deliver on Trump’s campaign promise to restore the SALT deduction. This bill will continue to penalize working families by making it more difficult for states like New Jersey to invest in our education, infrastructure, and communities. I have been fighting since day one to repeal this unfair double tax, and will keep working to ensure New Jerseyans are not shouldering the burden of Trump’s corruption and giveaways to the wealthiest Americans. 

“I cannot support this reckless, cruel plan that makes it harder for families to make ends meet. I’m appalled by those who refuse to stand up for working people and choose instead to rubber stamp an extreme political agenda. I will never stop fighting for affordable healthcare, a fair tax system, and a government that delivers for New Jersey families.”

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