Arise Citizens’ Policy Project policy director Jim Carnes issued the following statement Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in response to passage of the U.S. Senate tax bill:

“The U.S. Senate tax plan is a huge giveaway to wealthy households and big corporations, and working families across Alabama and across the country will pay the price for it. Tens of millions of Americans at low and middle incomes will face tax increases, while the top 1 percent will get enormous tax breaks that would make them even richer.

“The Senate plan will leave 13 million more Americans without health insurance in exchange for even larger corporate tax cuts. It also will fuel a soaring federal deficit, which many in Congress likely will try to use as an excuse to cut Medicare, Medicaid, education, housing and other essential services. Those cuts would make it even tougher for everyday Alabamians to make ends meet.

“It’s no wonder Congress shoved this bill through without hearings or extended debate: It’s a raw deal for American families. Small changes can’t fix that problem. Congress should reject this plan and focus instead on closing tax loopholes and investing in education, health care, transportation and other vital services that help struggling families get ahead.”