Tax Reform Passes the House, and The Dirty Dozen Who Voted "No"

Congress is about to hand President Trump and the country a huge policy, legislative, and political victory. Tax Reform has just passed the House of Representatives.

The sausage-making that goes into legislation can be a real turn-off. Yet for the first time in recent memory, it has become much easier for men and women to know what our representatives are doing in Washington DC, so even if we don't like some of the things that enter the process, we can also pressure our House Reps and US Senators to do more of the right thing.

To the best of my knowledge, as of the writing of this post, there will be no DACA fix, no amnesty, no anything else going on regarding amnesty in any further bills passing out of Congress this week and before the Christmas recess. The House and the Senate need to focus on building the wall, funding all enforcement operations of the federal government to stop amnesty, protect Americans, and ensure the quality and sovereignty of the United States from foreign invaders and domestic enemies.

Tax reform has passed, and may get another vote based on a few reports that the House bill needs to remove some parts which cannot pass based on budget reconciliation rules in the United States Senate.

At any rate, there were 12 House Republicans who voted against the tax reform.

Who are they?

• Dana Rohrabacher of California
• Darrell Issa of California
• Walter B. Jones of North Carolina
• Frank A. LoBiondo of New Jersey
• Christopher H. Smith of New Jersey
• Leonard Lance of New Jersey
• Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey
• Lee Zeldin of New York
• Peter T. King of New York
• Dan Donovan of New York
• John J. Faso of New York
• Elise Stefanik of New York

This is an old discussion, although there are fewer Republicans than last time. Tom McClintock of Northern California did vote for the final bill this time, most likely because the revised legislation out of conference.

The three states represented are high tax states, except for Walter Jones of North Carolina. He has continued his opposition to the bill because of deficits. The high tax states depend on SALT deductions, but why should the rest of the country foot the bill for these states' high tax profligacy?

My response to their opposition: Let the economy roll, and watch the extra funding come into the national coffers and make up for any of the deficits. This bill is definitely worth voting for, and worth ensuring that Republicans in both chambers stand a strong chance of retaining the majorities and continuing the MAGA Agenda.