Transit Union urges Senate to reject bill
Silver Spring, MD – Amalgamated Transit Union International President Larry Hanley released the following statement on the House passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1)
“On behalf of Joe, the bus driver, and Jane, the bus rider, we condemn the House of Representatives’ passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1) – the most outrageous money grab in the history of our country that will destroy what is left of the American middle class.
“Joe, the bus driver, is 50 and married with two children and earns $38,000 per year. Do those House members who voted to end the state and local deduction realize this legislation would make it impossible for Joe to keep food on the table, and save for his kids’ college tuition? Joe has been driving a bus for 10 years, and will need to retire soon due to chronic back and kidney problems. He will need continuous, costly medical care for the rest of his life. Under H.R.1 he won’t be able to deduct unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 10% of adjusted gross income. Talk about cruel.
“Jane, the bus rider, doesn't fare any better. She rides public transit every day because current law provides her with a tax benefit for taking public transit to work. However, H.R. 1 removes the option for employers to deduct the cost of those benefits, so Jane’s boss is pulling out of the program. She may have to walk the five miles to her job.
“And under this obscene bill, the 1% get even richer through massive corporate and estate tax giveaways making make millionaires into billionaires while leaving the rest of America behind.
“We call on the Senate to be the voice of reason and reject this ill-advised, heartless bill for Joe and Jane – the real people of America.”