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Witness defends recent tax changes as helping low- and middle-income households
Summary
A witness testifying before Chairman Arrington disputed claims that recent tax changes favored the wealthy, saying 70% of new tax cuts went to low- and middle-income households, that 92% of Americans take the doubled standard deduction, and that wages have risen about $3,000.
A witness testifying under Chairman Arrington defended recent tax changes as largely benefitting low- and middle-income households and disputed characterizations that the cuts primarily helped the wealthy.
The witness said recent filings showed "70% of the new tax cuts went to low and middle class families," and criticized a Democratic lawmaker’s description of the policy as "tax cuts for the rich." He also cited the doubled standard deduction, saying it is taken by about "92% of all Americans," and said wages had increased by about "$3,000." All figures and characterizations were presented by the witness during his testimony.
The witness argued that allowing the tax changes to expire would have amounted to a roughly "22% tax hike" on working families, and that Republicans acted to prevent that outcome. He framed the changes as increasing refunds, lowering withholding and putting "more money in people's pockets."
The comments were presented as the witness’s characterization of the economic effects; the hearing record includes his assertions but does not contain independent verification of the figures he cited.
The witness’s remarks were part of broader testimony at the start of the hearing; Chairman Arrington opened the session and invited testimony.
