Widespread Offshore Tax Dodging Revelations Shows Urgent Need to Postpone GOP Tax Bill Approval

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, reacted to the important disclosures by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in releasing the "Paradise Papers" and announcing a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations. Rep. Doggett said:

"These explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and the disturbing amount of tax avoidance. When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals and small businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services.

"With House Republicans in charge, powerful tax dodgers know they are in paradise. Since the Panama Papers were released last year, Republicans have refused to heed my call for Committee action, including thorough investigatory hearings. These papers have revealed corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. These reports also raise questions about a number of Trump allies, his billionaire buddies, and multinational corporations worldwide that have so much to gain from this Republican tax bill. Consideration of the Republican tax plan to reward tax dodgers and incentivize outsourcing of more American jobs abroad should be postponed until a thorough examination of these documents has occurred."

The ICIJ's report can be found here.

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