Dems New Position On Tax Reform: ?We Have To Make Sure This Doesn?t Happen?

Democrats Used To Say 'Comprehensive Tax Reform Has To Happen' Now 'Have No Intention Of Engaging With Republicans'
"[P]rivately, Democratic leaders have no intention of engaging with Republicans [on tax reform] even if they are offered, sources close to them say. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is convinced another GOP crash-and-burn would likely hand Democrats the House next year, so there's no political upside to playing ball. … 'So we have to make sure this doesn't happen.'" ("Democrats: Tax Reform Failure Will Flip The House," Politico, 10/24/2017)

• "[M]ore than a dozen Democratic members and aides interviewed for this story said they don't see a scenario in which Democrats would offer Republicans a life preserver with the midterms months away..." ("Democrats: Tax Reform Failure Will Flip The House," Politico, 10/24/2017)
• "Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), a Pelosi ally, brought up the child tax credit during a leadership meeting Monday night, suggesting ways Democrats might be able to work with Republicans on a bipartisan compromise. But Pelosi shot down the idea and moved on, according to three sources who were present, saying the focus is on defeating Republicans." ("Democrats: Tax Reform Failure Will Flip The House," Politico, 10/24/2017)

"[T]he Senate minority leader says Democrats will take a hard-line approach with the White House on taxes — and everything else — until Trump's GOP-only approach hits a dead end. 'There is a path forward, but only after this tax bill fails,' Schumer says in a new 'POLITICO Money' podcast …" ("Schumer Takes Hard Line With Trump On Taxes," Politico, 10/25/2017)

What Changed, Democrats?
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): "I think we all would maybe agree that we should have tax simplification, tax fairness, and so what I say to my members who to the table for these negotiations, 'Don't be ideological.' You just put growth in the middle of the table, how do we grow our economy with good paying jobs, and how do we have a tax plan that does that? So, we want simplification, so it's clear. Fairness, so it's fairer to people." (KLRU's "Overheard With Evan Smith," 5/01/2017)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): "Now, I say to some of my colleagues, we want to work with you on a good tax reform bill …" (Sen. Schumer, Congressional Record, S. 6494, 10/18/2017)

SEN. RON WYDEN (D-OR): "Comprehensive tax reform has to happen soon." (U.S. Senate Finance Committee Hearing, 7/22/2014)

• WYDEN: "The U.S. tax code is infected with the chronic diseases of loopholes and inefficiency. These infections are hobbling America's drive to create more good wage, red, white and blue jobs here at home. They are a significant drag on our economy and are harming U.S. competitiveness." (U.S. Senate Finance Committee Hearing, 7/22/2014)

SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): "We need comprehensive tax reform in a global economy. There is no question about that. That is something I am confident we will be doing … We need to do that. We need to do it on a bipartisan basis." (Sen. Stabenow, Congressional Record, S. 5189, 7/19/2012)

• STABENOW: "First, let me say we do need tax reform that closes loopholes to bring jobs home. And to help small business, and puts money in the pockets of middle-class families." (Sen. Stabenow, Press Conference, 10/03/2017)

SEN. CLAIRE McCASKILL (D-MO): "The current U.S. tax system is broken and needs reform." (Sen. McCaskill, Press Release, 7/30/2015)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): "I have long advocated for meaningful tax reform that creates fairness in our system and lowers tax rates for everyone while closing the loopholes, exemptions and credits that make our system unfair now." (Sen. Manchin, Press Release, 2/22/2012)

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