WASHINGTON— Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced the Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform, a set of principles developed in hopes of getting a real seat at the negotiating table with congressional Republicans on tax reform. In these tax reform principles, the Blue Dogs call for Congress to pursue a bipartisan process, address the national debt, prioritize the middle class, create jobs, and invest in infrastructure.

“The Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform was informed by the trade-offs of certain policy decisions and potential opportunities with reforming our tax code,” said Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. “We must remember that tax reform is not just about raising or reducing tax rates; it’s about an opportunity for Americans to attain the American Dream. If done right, tax reform can provide relief to middle-class families, encourage long-term savings and investment, spur job creation and investment in the United States, and promote economic growth and innovation. It is our job in Congress to do all that we can to get this done the right way.”

“In order to go into any kind of negotiation prepared, you must know your principles,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. “The Blue Dogs are taking the first step in what we hope is the larger negotiation process with congressional Republicans on tax reform. Republicans must stop catering to the extremes of their party and pursuing the failed, partisan reconciliation process. History proves that a bipartisan effort can lead to success on tax reform. And at the end of the day, what the American people want is for Democrats and Republicans to stop the partisan bickering and to do our job – to govern.”

“Over the past 22 years, the Blue Dog Coalition has built a reputation as a serious player in the policy arena, promoting positions which bridge the gap between ideological extremes,” said Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. “We have a strong history in developing substantive proposals and positions distinct from those advocated by the extremes of both parties. Tax reform provides a real opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to make good on our promise to come together and work on behalf of the American people to create a long-term, sustainable solution.”

“As co-chair of the Task Force on Economic Growth, I support fiscally-responsible, pro-growth tax reform for the people,” said Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Co-Chair of the Task Force on Economic Growth. “I am hopeful that Congress can work together to enact much-needed tax reform in a bipartisan manner, bolstering Main Street and our middle class.”

The Blue Dog Vision for Tax Reform calls for the following:

1. Republicans must abandon the failed, partisan reconciliation process for major reform, and follow through with the expectation of using an open, bipartisan process and regular order.

2. Tax reform must be credibly revenue neutral, and unrealistic, rosy economic-growth projections should not be used to offset the costs of tax reform or tax relief.

3. The middle class must be the priority, and tax reform should not shift the distributional balance to the wealthy.

4. American companies need a more competitive corporate tax rate and structure in order to maintain their ability to compete globally. Congress must also account for the needs of small businesses when it comes to setting tax rates.

5. We should consider using tax reform as an opportunity to address the funding challenges for the Highway Trust Fund.

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