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Blum, Young and King vote “yes” on GOP tax plan; Democrat Loebsack a no

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November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

All three Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation have voted FOR the House G-O-P’s tax plan. Iowa Republican Congressmen Rod Blum of Dubuque, David Young of Van Meter and Steve King of Kiron voted yes. King told Radio Iowa in late October that he was ready to support the package. “I’m willing to compromise more than I’ve been for probably 10 years because I see the urgency,” King said. “We need to get these things done and I’m supporting this tax policy even though I think that we ought to go with the ‘Fair Tax’ and abolish the IRS.”

King issued a written statement shortly after the bill passed, calling it “historic,” but adding that “it would have been much improved” if the plan had included repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s penalty for those who do not have health insurance. That proposal is part the tax package pending in the U.S. Senate. In early October, when just a “framework” of the tax plan emerged, Congressman YOUNG indicated he’d support getting rid of the estate tax, reducing the corporate tax rate and cutting income taxes on the “middle class.”

“I tell you this, everywhere I go in the third district, people are talking about (this): Their taxes are too high,” Young said. The lone Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation is Dave Loebsack of Iowa City. He voted against the House G-O-P’s tax plan. Loebsack said in a written statement that the plan “slashes taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations” and “will hurt everyday Iowans.” Loebsack pointed to the bill’s cuts to “Medicare, Medicaid, education and job training initiatives” in order to finance the tax cuts.

(Radio Iowa)