Scalise Urges Passage of STOP School Violence Act, Warns of Democrat Tax Hikes
WASHINGTON, D.C.—At the House Leadership stakeout today Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) urged the House to pass the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, which he is cosponsoring and the House will be voting on later today. He also warned of the Democrats’ announced proposal last week to strip away the economic gains and paycheck increases Americans have seen under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and their plans to raise taxes on working Americans to pay for their big government priorities should they take control of Congress in 2018.
Click here or on the image above to watch his remarks.
On the STOP School Violence Act of 2018:
“I want to commend Sheriff Rutherford for his leadership in bringing forward a really strong bipartisan bill that focuses on addressing the real problem with mass school shootings. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the STOP School Violence Act. And you’re going to see later today the House bring that bill up and pass it with a strong bipartisan vote.
“And if you look at what this bill does, it focuses on so many of the problems that we saw broke down. It’s a shame that when so many of the students at the school knew that the shooter was going to go and do something like this, that the system broke down at the federal level with the FBI and even at the local level.
“And so, what this bill does is actually give students, teachers and law enforcement more tools to identify a mass shooting problem before it happens, because that is the real focus. And so, Sheriff Rutherford’s bill really does focus on addressing the problem in a serious way. And it’s one more step that the House will be taking to confront this problem.
“I’ve met with a number of the students from Parkland. This morning, I actually met with another student from Parkland who was at the school that day. And we talked about the tragedy and the emotional toll and some of the things that they’ll still have to be dealing with. And we also talked about what steps should be taken. And he’s a very strong supporter of the STOP School Violence Act.
“And so, I’m glad that we’re continuing to address this problem.”
On Democrats’ new tax hike plan:
“As we address these problems, we continue to also focus on getting our economy back on track. And we’re really proud of the work that we did to cut taxes. Nine out of ten Americans are seeing more money in their paychecks because of the legislation we passed to cut taxes.
“And I do think, as we’re talking about election results, it’s really important to also talk about what would happen if Nancy Pelosi became Speaker again. And last week we got a really good glimpse of that, because the Democrats laid out their alternative to our tax cut plan.
“And imagine this: Just at a time when the economy is taking off because we cut taxes—we cut every tax rate for families, for businesses, enabling people to create more jobs, hire more people, pay higher wages to workers. The Democrats’ plan that, of all people, Bernie Sanders, along with Chuck Schumer, presented last week, they said if they get the majority, if Democrats get the House and Senate, their bill will raise taxes. It will raise individual income taxes on families. It will raise corporate taxes to slow business growth. And they go and double down by jacking up the death tax even more. And they reinstate the alternative minimum tax, which is a tax that cripples middle-class families.
“So I think it’s a great contrast to show that if Nancy Pelosi is elected speaker, their plan is to take that money out of your pocket that nine out of 10 Americans are enjoying right now, give it back to Washington, and raise taxes on hard-working families and businesses. So, I think it’s a great contrast to show people what is at stake this November as we continue to move legislation forward with this Republican majority to solve real problems, working with President Trump to get that job done.”