Tester Discusses Tax Reform, National Debt with Financial Expert

Senator Continues Gathering Feedback on Tax Reform

(U.S. Senate)—U.S. Senator Jon Tester spoke with one of the country’s leading experts on fiscal responsibility as members of the U.S. House of Representatives rolled out their tax legislation today.

Tester met with Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Budget, to discuss how tax reform would impact the national debt and the strength of the national economy, the cost of tax cuts to the extremely wealthy, and ways to simplify the tax code.

“I want to hear from Montana families, small businesses, experts, and anyone who has ideas on how to cut taxes without adding to the debt,” said Tester. “We need real tax reform that seriously addresses our $20 trillion debt, not handouts to billionaires that are put on the nation’s credit card.”

MacGuineas testifies regularly before Congress. Her widely published areas of expertise include budget, tax, and economic policy. In 2009, MacGuineas sat on The Washington Post editorial board, covering economic and fiscal policy. MacGuineas has worked at the Brookings Institution and on Wall Street. As a political independent, she works regularly with members of Congress on health, economic, tax, and budget policy.

The Committee for a Responsible Budget is a non-partisan think-tank focusing on serious, bipartisan ways to reduce America’s national debt.

“I have some concerns with any plan that will increase our debt and I hope we can have a serious discussion in the weeks to come about how to ensure tax reform doesn’t add to the debt and helps Montana families,” Tester said.

Tester is seeking feedback from Montanans on how to best cut taxes for working families. He launched an online portal for Montanans to provide their feedback.

Earlier this year, Tester invited President Trump to Montana to discuss tax reform.