Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, there is something in this bill called tax credits, but they are also called refundable.

So what is a refundable tax credit?

It is welfare by a different name.

We are going to give cash payments--checks--to people who don't even pay taxes. The hardworking constituents whom I represent in Kentucky are tired of getting up at 6:00 a.m., driving an hour or two to work and working their hind ends off to watch their neighbors collect these checks of which there will be more of after this bill. It is just wrong.

Now, does anybody find it interesting that the Democratic leadership has not even claimed time in opposition to this bill?

Why is that?

Why aren't they opposed?

Now, there are a few Democrats opposed. Maybe some don't think it goes far enough, or some are opposed to what they call corporate welfare in here, but, by and large, the Democrats are not opposed to this because this is an expansion of the welfare state. That is what it is.

So here is my concern about that: Is it mean to give away money?

No. It is not mean. We could consider it compassionate until you think about the implications.

Now, they say this tax bill is paid for.

What does that mean?

What does it mean when it is paid for?

There are some gimmicks in here that are not going to reduce the debt. This is actually going to cost. Now, by Washington, D.C., math, it is paid for. Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, when you look at the national debt, it will go up as a result of this bill. Everybody in here knows it. We know these are gimmicks when you call it a pay-for. This bill will increase our debt.

What is that going to do?

It is going to cause inflation to go up. That is going to affect everybody, including the people you are trying to give the money to for having kids.

This is bad policy. I am opposed to it, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source