Republican Tax Cut Legislation
On December 19 and 20, 2017, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, their bill to cut taxes for the richest Americans and for corporations on the backs of working and middle-class families, students, and seniors.
This plan, first introduced in the House on November 2, affects every American, every taxpayer in current and future generations. In response to constituent concerns about this bill's impact, the below pages track every aspect of the bill's movement in the House and Senate.
This tax plan has roots in H. Con. Res. 71, the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution passed by the Congress on October 26. This budget resolution directs Congress’ two tax committees – the House Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve as a senior Member, and the Senate Finance Committee – to develop tax legislation.
Unfortunately, it also directs other committees to develop deep, harmful cuts for key domestic and safety net programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
- On Thursday, November 16, two weeks after introduction, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1 by a vote of 227 to 205.
- On Saturday, December 2, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1 by a vote of 51 to 49.
On December 15, a conference committee formed by members of the House and Senate to negotiate differences between the two versions of H.R. 1 released a conference report containing the final text of H.R. 1.
- On Tuesday, December 19, the U.S. House passed the conference report to H.R. 1 by a vote of 227 to 203. (Watch Rep. Lewis' Floor Statement Opposing Final Republican Tax Bill (H.R. 1 Conference Report) - December 19, 2017)
- On Tuesday, December 19, the U.S. Senate passed the conference report to H.R. 1 by a vote of 51 to 48.
- On Wednesday, December 20, the U.S. House passed the conference report to H.R. 1 again by a vote of 224 to 201, since the Senate made several changes to comply with budget rules. (Watch Rep. Lewis' Floor Statement Opposing Second Vote on H.R. 1 Conference Report - December 20, 2017)
HOUSE: House Ways and Means Committee Markup → House Rules Committee → House Floor Debate
SENATE: Senate Finance Committee Markup Resources → Senate Budget Committee Resources → Senate Floor Debate
CONFERENCE: Conference Committee → Committee Report
Rep. John Lewis' Public Statements about H.R. 1
Rep. John Lewis' Missed Opportunities Bills
Rep. John Lewis' Proposed Amendments to H.R. 1