US Bishops urge 'thoughtful deliberation' on tax reform

Bishop Frank J Dewane

Source: USCCB

Bishop Frank J Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged the US House of Representatives toward prudence, ensuring that they and the nation understand fully the impacts of tax reform proposals before voting on them.

The full statement follows:

"The USCCB is currently studying the U.S. House of Representatives' 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,' which was released yesterday, and will be releasing a more detailed statement soon. The changes proposed in this bill are significant and complex, affecting the entire nation. Current information indicates that the House is planning to move this bill quickly through the legislative process. However, prudence requires that members of Congress and the people of the country have adequate time to fully understand and debate the consequences of any tax bill so that decisions serve the dignity of the human person and the common good. This is not a moment for hurried action, but thoughtful deliberation.

It is imperative, too, that lawmakers consider the tax bill through the lens of the moral principles outlined in our letter of one week ago:

Caring for the poor;

Strengthening families;

Maintaining progressivity of the tax code;

Raising adequate revenue for the common good;

Avoiding cuts to poverty programs to finance tax reform;

Incentivizing charitable giving and development.

A clear understanding and careful consideration of the impacts of these tax proposals is essential for the sake of all people, but particularly the poor."