Rep. Doggett Introduces Motion to Postpone Republican Tax Bill Mark-Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced a Motion to Postpone debate of the House Republicans' tax bill (H.R. 1) for several reasons, including the release yesterday of the "Paradise Papers." A portion of Rep. Doggett's remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow:

"This Motion simply requests that we reconvene this markup for next week. Our objective is insight, not delay. Incredibly, for this legislation of such magnitude, after so many years, this plan has never had a single public hearing, nor has any member of the Trump Administration official have the courage to come before this Committee and answer questions about this bill. No expert witness has been given the opportunity to explain this bill's deficiencies, nor has there been an opportunity for thorough independent evaluation of the proposal in this this rush to injustice.

"Despite our efforts, we still lack the tax returns of President Trump and his 500 plus entities that might show how he and his family will personally benefit.

"And thanks to a free press and investigative journalism, we have the release of the first information on the ‘Paradise Papers' concerning offshore tax avoidance in Bermuda and other island tax havens. These explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and disturbing amounts of tax avoidance. When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals, small businesses, and domestic businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services.

"Like the rushed-through Trump immigration policy and the health care repeal disaster, we need to learn from experience, we need some vetting – in the President's words, we need ‘extreme vetting.' If you don't have anything to hide, a week and one public hearing won't impair your efforts."

The House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill begins today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the "Paradise Papers" and announced a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations.

You may view Rep. Doggett's full speech on his Motion to Postpone here.

You may view Rep. Doggett's statement issued after the release of the "Paradise Papers" here.

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