SALT deduction will give NJ a long-needed tax cut

Investments will help NJ-5 communities fight the coronavirus

On May 15, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the new coronavirus rescue, relief, and tax cut package, as well as provisions for remote committee participation and temporary proxy voting measures.

“Today’s bill includes full reinstatement of the SALT deduction — giving New Jersey a long-needed tax cut, something I’ve been fighting for for years — it also helps small businesses that can’t make ends meet, for workers who are unsure they’ll get another paycheck, and for every single county and community so they can support teachers, cops, EMS, and firefighters,” Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) said on the House floor. “This resolution includes remote committee participation and proxy voting, which are essential reforms during this pandemic and key to giving the American public the accountability and transparency they deserve. I’m hoping remote floor debate and voting are next, and this paves the way,” 

Gottheimer continued, “We should all support this legislation to defend this institution, to protect it, and to ensure that accountability and transparency and this institution live on forever in the greatest country in the world. I know we’ll get through this together if we put country ahead of party.”

As Gottheimer has highlighted, the House’s new coronavirus relief and tax cut package includes a full reinstatement of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction for 2020 and 2021 — as well as significant support for North Jersey, including hazard pay for North Jersey’s frontline health care workers, first responders, and essential workers; important fixes to strengthen the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and more flexibility for small business owners and PPP loan forgiveness; and resources for the State of New Jersey and every single county to support first responders, teachers, and public services.

Authorizing remote voting by proxy and allowing for official remote committee proceedings are temporary changes that will allow Members to vote remotely on the House Floor and enable committees to engage in full virtual hearings and markups. This will allow the House to conduct essential oversight and to shape and advance legislation as the U.S. continues to confront the current health and economic crisis. These changes are temporary and can only be used during this coronavirus pandemic.

Watch Gottheimer’s remarks on the House floor HERE.

Gottheimer’s remarks delivered on the House floor are below. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today as Congress adapts for this pandemic, so that we can represent our constituents and shape legislation during this crisis, and do so safely in line with CDC guidelines. 

This resolution includes remote committee participation and proxy voting, which are essential reforms during this pandemic and key to giving the American public the accountability and transparency they deserve.

I’m hoping remote floor debate and voting are next, and this paves the way. 

The Supreme Court is doing it and so can we. State legislators, including Oklahoma and in my state of New Jersey, and legislators around the world are doing it. We are behind here and it’s time we step up. There’s nothing extreme about working this way and adapting during an emergency, just like all Americans have. 

I’m very grateful to Chairman McGovern, my good friend, a true statesman, and institutionalist, and Representative Lofgren who has done an incredible job working with us in the Problem Solvers Caucus, with Democrats and Republicans, as we’ve continued making strides to a truly remote system. 

This debate and work is key for my district in North Jersey, which is at the epicenter of this crisis. 

Today’s bill also includes full reinstatement of the SALT deduction — giving New Jersey a long-needed tax cut, something I’ve been fighting for for years — it also helps small businesses that can’t make ends meet, for workers who are unsure they’ll get another paycheck, and for every single county and community so they can support teachers, cops, EMS, and firefighters. 

But it starts with making sure our system is built so we can do it and today’s proposal does just that. 

We should all support this legislation to defend this institution, to protect it, and to ensure that accountability and transparency and this institution live on forever in the greatest country in the world. 

I know we’ll get through this together if we put country ahead of party. 

I yield back.

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