Democrats are savaging Republicans for passing the tax overhaul bill. A key criticism is its reduction in the corporate tax rate. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is leading the chorus. But a few years ago he proposed a bill that included a similar change.
Politically motivated deceit? Duplicity? You decide.
2013-14
“Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who is poised to become the new chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is the sponsor of a major tax reform plan…(that) would cut the corporate rate to 24 percent from 35 percent.” —Tax Policy Center, Urban Institute & Brookings Institution, December 26, 2013
“The U.S. is stuck with a 35% corporate tax rate—one of the highest in the world—and a painfully complicated and outdated tax code… I continue to believe that reducing the current corporate tax rate by approximately one-third will bring the U.S. in line with other developed countries that long ago recognized the need to evolve their policies to compete globally while growing their domestic economies.” — Senator Ron Wyden, Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2014
“Senator Ron Wyden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said he wants to cut the corporate income tax rate to 24 percent from 35 percent, chiefly by eliminating loopholes. Wyden has advocated this proposal for years.” — Reuters, June 17, 2014
2017
“The details leaking out… paint a clear picture of an unprecedented tax giveaway for the most fortunate and biggest corporations.” — Senator Ron Wyden, Accounting Today, Sept. 19, 2017
“Massive handouts to corporations does not mean higher wages or more jobs for the middle class. Corporations are already swimming in cash.” — Senator Ron Wyden, Facebook post, Nov. 30, 2017
“U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden says he wants to muster the same public outcry that sank Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act to turn back Republican plans for tax cuts benefiting corporations and high-income earners.”— Senator Ron Wyden, Woodburn Independent, Dec. 19, 2017