Roskam Talks Taxes, Dodges Question About Roy Moore

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Ill.) sat down with Crain's recently to share his thoughts on the GOP tax bill he co-sponsored. During the interview, he admitted the controversial tax plan has some flaws. He also dodged a question about his colleague, Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore (R), who has been accused of sexual assault.

Crains' editorial board pressed Roskam hard about Moore's behavior, but Roskam stayed mum, insisting that he was "here to talk about taxes."

Roskam did have a lot to say about the GOP tax plan, specifically how he thought his constituents, who have repeatedly protested the tax plan, felt about it. He told Crain's, "my district, in my view, benefits from this tax reform package." He went on to suggest that he was not concerned with how the tax plan would affect other states, saying, he was confident it would be a "good equation for my constituents."

Many of Roskam's constituents would beg to differ. More than 250 people recently showed up to protest Roskam when he spoke at a GOP fundraiser in Downers Grove and more plan to protest in Wheaton Monday.

Crain's then confronted Roskam about his repeated refusal to hold an in-person town hall meeting. He mentioned a recent telephone meeting and added "if you're asking me the big thing where everyone comes in angry and leaves angrier, I'm not going to do that."

After Roskam dodged the first question posed to him about Roy Moore, the Crain's editorial board pressed on, mentioning that Moore is "accused of unspeakable acts."

Roskam dodged again, saying he would only discuss taxes. He provided the same response when asked about DACA.

The Senate vote on the GOP tax bill is set to take place sometime after senators return from Thanksgiving break.

>>Image credit: Getty Images/Alex Wong / Staff

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