Sen. Tim Scott helped write most of the Republican tax reform bill. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Republicans on Capitol Hill are celebrating this week after successfully passing one of the most sweeping tax reform bills in decades.
President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans commemorated the hard-fought victory at the White House Wednesday, Dec. 20, following a long two nights of votes and then a re-vote by the House of Representatives. Among them was African-American Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who’s been stumping hard for the GOP tax plan that opponents have called just another tax cut for the wealthy.
In a series of tweets late Tuesday evening, Scott pegged the tax code overhaul as a “win for hardworking American families” living paycheck to paycheck. The Palmetto State lawmaker insisted families would see the “proof” in their paychecks next year, as the newly passed bill would reduce the tax burden on low-income Americans.
“Great news! The Senate just passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” Scott wrote, alongside a video message posted on his Twitter feed. “This bill is a Christmas present for hardworking families from Charleston to Greenwood, and from Charlotte to Portland.”
“For the first time in a generation, tax reform is finally here,” he added.
The truth is our #TaxReform bill reduces the tax burden for families living paycheck to paycheck. This is good news, and this is a historic night for America. pic.twitter.com/s4w6X20AyT
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) December 20, 2017
Critics of the tax bill have begged to differ, however. With the new plan providing significant cuts for big-name corporations, new breaks for private businesses and a complete overhaul of the individual tax code, opponents argue that the $1.5 trillion bill would actually increase taxes for the lower- and middle-class, rather than slash them.
But Scott, who’s spent the last year helping to write the bill, doesn’t quite see it that way.
“As a part of this tax reform package, the Investing and Opportunity Act has been included, which will bring trillions of dollars into poorer communities – because of your willingness to listen,” the congressman told President Trump during a celebratory tax event on the South Lawn Monday. Scott added that the new bill would also help single mothers by providing them a 70 percent tax cut.
This is a plan we can be proud of because it speaks to the hearts of everyday, hardworking Americans! And I am proud to say that our #TaxReform package includes my bipartisan #IIOA, which will help distressed communities all over the country. Today is a great day. pic.twitter.com/gWVuhqsUKl
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) December 20, 2017
Not many were enthused about the senator’s backing of the controversial bill, however, and they made it known.
https://twitter.com/mad1nola/status/943573472088854528
Tim Scott is an absolute disgrace
— Rudolph McKissick Jr (@bishopmckjr) December 20, 2017
I don’t wish Tim Scott well. And he’s uninvited from all cookouts. He can sit outside with Omarosa and them.
— Corn Teen Papi, Ph.D. (@cagbi2000) December 20, 2017
It's incredibly frustrating to have Tim Scott be strategically placed in direct line of these cameras, and to have him either not know he's a symbolic pawn, or, worse, agree to be one for optics after voting for this mess.
— Bärí A. Williams (@BariAWilliams) December 20, 2017
In the midst of the criticism from Black folks, Scott decided to respond to at least one person who called him a “manipulated prop.”
Uh probably because I helped write the bill for the past year, have multiple provisions included, got multiple Senators on board over the last week and have worked on tax reform my entire time in Congress. But if you'd rather just see my skin color, pls feel free. https://t.co/KLLNXqIZ3i
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) December 20, 2017
