Colorado's delegation in both the House and Senate split along party lines for the Republican tax overhaul bill. The House approved the plan by a mostly party-line Tuesday vote of 227-203. The Senate, voting early Wednesday, passed an amended bill 51-48 in a party-line vote.
NPR reports two provisions had to be removed from the House bill before the Senate could vote on it because of rules violations. One provision at issue would allow families to use education savings accounts, often called 529 accounts, to pay for K-12 private schools and home-schooling expenses. The other would exempt private colleges and universities with fewer than 500 tuition-paying students from a new tax on their endowments.
The House is expected to vote again on the Senate-passed bill Wednesday. If the bill passes both chambers, it will be sent to the desk of President Donald Trump for his signature.
The $1.5 trillion package would provide steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy and more modest cuts for middle- and low-income families — some of them only temporary. The business tax cuts would take effect in January and be permanent. Workers would start to see changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks in February.
Republican Rep. Mike Coffman, who represents the eastern side of the Denver metro area including Aurora, told CPR News the legislation helps his constituents "a lot."
"If you look at doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, lowering rates — it's a big deal."
He also suggested the temporary tax cuts might become permanent.
“I think if you look at the Bush tax cuts, they were done first temporarily, and then they were done permanently,” he said. “I suspect something like that could occur” with this bill.
Here's how the rest of the delegation looked on Twitter:
Diana DeGette, Democrat
BREAKING: @HouseGOP passes the #GOPTaxScam with zero Democratic support. The Senate votes next on massive giveaway to corporations and the ultra-rich at the expense of the middle class. We must continue raising our voices in opposition.
Jared Polis, Democrat
BREAKING: Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a tax scheme that grows the national debt by over $1.5 trillion. It gives handouts to corporations & special interests while plunging our nation deeper in debt & hitting many middle class families w/ tax hikes.
Scott Tipton, Republican
BREAKING: Today the House voted to reform our broken tax code, putting the needs of the American people first. Learn more here: https://t.co/vhCoef5aUM
Ken Buck, Republican
I voted today for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it makes the tax code simpler and fairer for American families, it encourages companies to keep jobs in America through a more equitable business tax rate, and it offers lower taxes for Americans. pic.twitter.com/PklR0zTx5o
Doug Lamborn, Republican
Congress listened to the American people and simplified our complicated tax code. This is a historic day for our country. Moving forward we can expect bigger paychecks and filing taxes will be as easy as sending a postcard. pic.twitter.com/PUHdgZbCBg
Ed Perlmutter, Democrat
Since taking control of both the legislative & executive branch, Republicans have missed many opportunities to help hardworking families & grow the economy. The #GOPTaxBill is just one more missed opportunity that will have consequences for years to come.https://t.co/dl7yEYAqt8
Sen. Cory Gardner, Republican
After 31 years, the American people will no longer be forced to deal w/ an Atari-era tax code that is outdated and overly complicated. Congress has finally answered the call to cut taxes and reform the tax code, and I’m proud to help deliver this relief to all of Colorado. pic.twitter.com/dI5quEFz0X
Sen. Michael Bennet, Democrat
.@SenateGOP just passed #GOPTaxBill – yet another appalling example of how profoundly decoupled the Republican priorities in Washington are from the priorities of the American people. pic.twitter.com/iiLmPsjOPs
