GOP Tax Plan is 'Deeply Unjust'

November 02, 2017

PRESS CONTACT:

Elliot Levy

202-800-7409

New York – Following the release of the House tax plan, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, released the following statement:

“This tax proposal, and the changes in government programs that it would necessitate, is deeply unjust. It would exacerbate inequality, robbing vital programs for ordinary Americans to pay back millionaire campaign donors with tax cuts.

“American Jews know injustices like poverty, hunger and disease are a collective responsibility. We are obliged to care for one another and build the country we want. The federal government is one place we can come together to do just that – but only if it is appropriately funded. Eighty-one percent of Jews favor increasing taxes on millionaires, exactly the opposite approach to the disastrous plan unveiled today.

“To make matters worse, the GOP tax plan would exempt houses of worship from the Johnson Amendment and its vital religious freedom protections. Without it, our houses of worship will become dark money slush funds and platforms for partisan politicking, not fellowship and faith. As a religious organization, we know true freedom of religion depends on clear separation from the government, and the Johnson Amendment helps maintain that separation to the benefit of religion, as well as government.

“Bend the Arc Jewish Action rejects entirely the philosophy behind this bill and will oppose the legislation vigorously.”

Bend the Arc Jewish Action has been a leader on tax fairness in the Jewish community. The group’s ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ tour organized young progressive Jews to travel across the country advocating for morally sound budget and tax policies. Bend the Arc also joined with other national organizations in signing a letter urging Congress not to repeal the estate tax. Bend the Arc’s sister organization, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, has also been active on tax fairness campaigns and advocacy efforts in California, and joined nearly 100 faith organizations in writing Congress in defense of the Johnson Amendment.