Rep. Frelinghuysen: ‘Big Changes’ Needed To Senate Tax Bill

As the U.S. Senate pushes its way through a vote on the Trump Administration’s long-heralded tax reform bill, U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen has offered a statement about the legislation as it sits: big changes are needed.

Frelinghuysen, a veteran Republican member of the House who represents New Jersey’s 11th District, released a statement on Friday about the Senate version of the bill, writing that “unless there are significant positive changes in the final tax bill brought before the House and the Senate in coming weeks, I will oppose it due to very negative impacts it will have on so many of my fellow New Jerseyans.”

• See related article: Senate To Vote On GOP Tax Bill (Watch Live)
• See related article: House Passes Tax Bill While Its Future Unclear In Senate

Frelinghuysen wrote:

“If the Senate musters sufficient votes to pass the bill, the stage will be set for a House-Senate negotiation on a final bill. As you know, I opposed H.R. 1, the House tax bill, when it was debated in our chamber just before Thanksgiving because the legislation’s provisions will hurt New Jersey families who already pay some of the highest income and property taxes in the nation. In this regard, the Senate proposal is even more punitive.”

• See related article: Rep. Frelinghuysen Votes Against Tax Reform Bill

Frelinghuysen continued:

“Specifically, the House bill unfairly limited the state and local tax (SALT) deduction which is vital to many families. H.R. 1 also greatly reduced mortgage interest deductions. These changes to the tax code will certainly erode property values, one of the most important financial assets for many New Jerseyans. These provisions alone could do much damage to the business climate in our state, a trend we must never tolerate, let alone encourage.”

The lawmaker continued:

“I had hoped that 2017 would be the year that Congress enacts permanent, pro-growth tax reform. In fact, I was looking forward to voting for legislation that creates jobs, increases paychecks, reinforces fairness and expands the economy here at home, while strengthening America’s competitiveness around the world. However, unless there are significant positive changes in the final tax bill brought before the House and the Senate in coming weeks, I will oppose it due to very negative impacts it will have on so many of my fellow New Jerseyans.”

Despite Frelinghuysen’s recent opposition to the bill, some of his constituents in the 11th District haven’t forgotten that he also voted in favor of a budget resolution that moved the House version of the Trump Administration’s tax reform bill forward.

• See related article: Frelinghuysen's Vote On Tax Reform Sparks Outrage In New Jersey
• See related article: A Different Take On Frelinghuysen's Tax Vote (Op-Ed)

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Photo: frelinghuysen.house.gov