III
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 65
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 15, 2023
Ms. Rosen (for herself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Fetterman, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance
RESOLUTION
Opposing a national sales tax on working families and supporting a tax cut to benefit the middle class.
Whereas hardworking families have faced significant economic challenges over the past few years, including high gas prices, rising costs for groceries, and increasing rent and home prices due to record-high inflation;
Whereas elected leaders should be working to relieve individuals in the United States of the financial pressure at the kitchen table, and pass legislation that brings down costs rather than raises prices;
Whereas Republicans in Congress have introduced and plan to consider H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2023, which would impose a new national sales tax and increase the price of all goods and services by 30 percent;
Whereas, under this legislation, it is estimated that, for a family in the United States—
the average yearly grocery bill would rise by $3,500;
the cost of buying a car would go up $10,000; and
the cost of buying a home would increase by $125,000;
Whereas the price increases brought on by the FairTax Act of 2023 would disproportionately impact retirees, seniors, and those living on a fixed income by raising prices on individuals whose incomes will remain flat as prices rise;
Whereas this misguided legislation, which places a financial burden on seniors and hardworking families, also eliminates all income taxes for the ultra-rich;
Whereas in recent years, Republicans in Congress have given massive tax cuts to billionaires and giant corporations at the expense of middle class families;
Whereas Republicans in Congress have suggested paying for past tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy by cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid;
Whereas Democrats in Congress passed the largest middle class tax cut in generations through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 135 Stat. 4), which expanded the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, cutting child poverty nearly in half in 2021; and
Whereas individuals in the United States deserve real bipartisan tax reform and a simpler, fairer tax code aimed at supporting the middle class: Now therefore, be it
That the Senate—
strongly opposes H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2023, which would impose an effective 30 percent sales tax on all goods and services, raising prices for hardworking families, seniors, and other individuals in the United States working to make ends meet;
supports the passage of a responsible tax cut that would actually benefit hardworking families and grow the middle class, while making the ultra-wealthy and billion-dollar corporations pay their fair share; and
opposes paying for any tax cuts with cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, or cuts to pay and benefits for our servicemembers, veterans, or law enforcement.