NY grand jury indicts former President Trump
(CNSNews.com) - Ahead of today's congressional vote on the Republican tax reform bill, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) said never mind recent polls showing that a majority of Americans don't like the plan.
The congressman told CNN the polls don't worry him: "In fact, it creates low expectations, and I think that this is going to be far more pleasant for people. What they're going to learn is that their tax bills are going down," Roskam said on Tuesday.
"So look, polls are snapshots in time. We use them to guide us, but you don't want to be completely tethered to polls, and I think when it all comes down to it, people are going to look at this in totality when all the dust settles, and say, that's a good bill."
According to a new poll conducted for CNN, opposition to the Republican tax bill has grown 10 points since early November, with 55 percent of those polled now opposing it. CNN said just 33 percent of Americans like the plan.
But Roskam said policy-making should not be based on polls.
"What you want to do is make decisions that are solid, based on the merits; make decisions that are solid, based on a good process; and make decisions that are solid, based on getting input from a lot of people. And that's the net effect of the bill that's going to pass out of the House today; I predict it passes in the Senate, and it will be signed into law.
"And as we look forward next year, my constituents and many other people are going to be getting tax relief that they really, really need. And also we're going to have a business environment and a business climate that is more expansive and more invitational and more opportunistic for more people.
"And I think at its foundation, that's why you see so much unanimity on the GOP side, in particular, about this bill," Roskam said.
Also appearing on CNN, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) said "a few people are going to get some crumbs" from the Republican tax bill, "but the wealthiest people in the country are going to get all of the benefits here."
Ryan noted that corporations are now flush with cash, while in Youngstown, "people are trying to figure out how they're going to finance Christmas dinner or be able to get their kids some Christmas gifts. And Apple's going to get a $40 billion tax break. That's absolutely insane," Ryan said.
Ryan also objects to the trillions of dollars that some estimates say could be added to the national debt. Republicans reject that argument, saying that an expanding economy will create jobs and produce more tax revenue for government coffers.
Appearing on Fox News Tuesday morning, supply-side (Reagan) economist Art Laffer said he's expecting "strong growth starting right away," as soon as the bill passes, as it is expected to do later Tuesday.
Laffer said he anticipates economic growth "far higher" than other economists are predicting; and he expects the stock market to continue rising "as far as the eye can see."
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened at a record 24,834.38 Tuesday morning.
In two tweets Tuesday morning, President Trump hailed the progress of the stock market on his watch:
-- "DOW RISES 5000 POINTS ON THE YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
-- "Stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated in scope and size. Immediate expensing will have a big impact. Biggest Tax Cuts and Reform EVER passed. Enjoy, and create many beautiful JOBS!"