Politico: Doggett fires at conservative groups mobilizing for tax reform

Congressional Democrats are starting to push back against conservative influence groups that are rallying around tax reform with a public relations blitz.

Such political organizations are only looking out for their boosters' best interests as they begin to focus more sharply on taxes as the GOP push to repeal the Affordable Care Act has stalled yet again, according to Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas).

The ranking member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, Doggett's criticism was particularly pointed at groups tied to the billionaire Koch brothers, which are hosting an event with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin later today and another one Wednesday with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.

"The Republican opening act of tax cuts for the superrich masquerading as health care repeal may have collapsed, but their billionaire buddies are setting the stage for the main event," said a statement from Doggett. "Congress may have recessed for August, but billionaire special interests, who demand ever more tax breaks, never go into recess."

The Koch-backed groups are planning to spend millions of dollars on advertising, events and other outreach in August to promote tax reform. Other conservative advocacy groups are involved in parallel grassroots efforts, as are a number of large business groups, including the Business Roundtable and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"For the Koch Brothers, the mere millions they'll spend promoting their tax scheme will be a pittance next to the billions worth of tax breaks they hope to secure for themselves and their fellow plutocrats and multinationals," Doggett's statement said.