Tuesdays with Tom 11-07-2017

WASHINGTON -­ Today, in a press conference call with New Mexico reporters, U.S. Senator Tom Udall discussed his reaction to the terrible mass shooting in Texas this weekend, his opposition to the Republicans’ partisan tax proposal, and the urgent need to fund several health programs that New Mexico depends on, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI).

"I am heartbroken that we are – yet again – dealing with the news of another mass shooting," Udall said, in reference to the tragic mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday. "It’s outrageous that we’re still trying to gather support for simple reforms to slow the epidemic of gun violence. … It shouldn’t take the loss of even one more innocent life. We should take common-sense steps to keep guns out of the hands of people who mean harm. We can ban bump stocks. We can expand background checks. The military must do a better job getting its arrests and convictions into the database. We must move on these items now."

Udall also outlined his opposition to the Republican tax plan which would benefit the ultra-wealthy and large corporations at the expense of New Mexico’s working families. The bill would give the wealthiest Americans and corporations a large permanent tax break, while ultimately raising taxes on millions of working families by eliminating tax deductions for student loans, state and local tax deductions, and medical expenses.

"New Mexicans want and deserve real reform that helps working families and small businesses, that makes Tax Day easier for all Americans, that makes the system fairer, and that requires the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share," Udall said. "But the Republican plan isn’t reform. It’s a gift to big corporations, and small businesses won’t get the same benefits, and neither would New Mexico families. … I’ll keep working for real tax reform that helps New Mexico’s working families and small businesses. But this bill doesn’t do that."

In addition, Udall highlighted the urgent need to fund critical health programs that New Mexico depends on to provide comprehensive health care to children, rural communities, and Tribes. Last month, while Republicans were trying pass their fourth attempt to repeal Obamacare, they let funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program expire and put off long term funding for SDPI.

"As they try to rush through this tax plan, the president and Republicans are neglecting critical health programs," Udall said. "I’m raising alarm bells. If Congress doesn’t act soon on these programs, New Mexico families will be forced into another health crisis."

Click here to listen to the full audio online.

Click here to download the audio.

Below are Udall's remarks:

0:24- I am heartbroken that we are – yet again – dealing with the news of another mass shooting. Yet again, this tragedy happened in a place of worship.

0:35 — It is horrifying that this shooting comes just a month after the deadliest mass shooting in our history. And it’s outrageous that we’re still trying to gather support for simple reforms to slow the epidemic of gun violence. After a tragedy like this, we hear leaders across the country say something must be done. But then nothing happens.

0:51 — It shouldn’t take the loss of even one more innocent life. We should take common-sense steps to keep guns out of the hands of people who mean harm. We can ban bump stocks. We can expand background checks. The military must do a better job getting its arrests and convictions into the database. We must move on these items now.

1:16 — Now, I’ll turn to the news coming out of Washington. Last week, House Republicans unveiled their tax plan.

1:23 — New Mexicans want and deserve real reform that helps working families and small businesses, that makes Tax Day easier for all Americans, that makes the system fairer; and that requires the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share.

1:39 — Tax reform shouldn’t add to the deficit. And it should allow us to invest in roads and bridges, broadband internet, and other infrastructure. But the Republican plan isn’t reform. It’s a gift to big corporations, and small businesses won’t get the same benefits, and neither would New Mexico families.

2:00 — The bill puts key deductions on the chopping block – like student loan interest, and medical expenses. It cuts the personal exemption, and the deduction for state and local taxes.

2:11 — If you’ve got a big family – with kids at home, or kids in college – you’re likely to see your taxes go up. And families with large medical expenses will get hit especially hard. Others could get a small temporary tax cut in the first year. But the plan raises taxes on those families a few years later.

2:32 — And the plan would blow a $1.5 trillion hole in the budget. That will force big cuts in programs people depend on, like education, health care, and infrastructure.

2:45 — I’ll keep working for real tax reform that helps New Mexico’s working families and small businesses. But this bill doesn’t do that.

2:55 — As they try to rush through this tax plan, the president and Republicans are neglecting critical health programs.

3:03 — The Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, expired in September. CHIP insures almost 9 million children across the country, including over 11,000 kids in New Mexico. And it has been a life-saver. It provides comprehensive health care for kids whose families don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance.

3:25 — The Community Health Centers Program also expired last month. In New Mexico, 17 community health clinics serve 330,000 patients in 90 communities.

3:39 — Republicans also failed to extend the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Services. Without it, more than 1,000 New Mexico parents could miss out on home visits.

3:49 — And the Special Diabetes Program for Indians is set to expire in December. This critical program helps Native patients with more effectively managing their diabetes.

4:02 — I’m raising alarm bells. If Congress doesn’t act soon on these programs, New Mexico families will be forced into another health crisis.

4:23 — Udall answers questions on the approval of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers in Questa, the elimination of student loan deduction in the GOP tax plan, and efforts to fund CHIP and SDPI, and the latest report on climate change impacts.