News · Press Release

Six Months After House Passage: Tax Scam Increasingly Unpopular, Dragging Down Vulnerable Incumbents

Before and immediately after passage of the Republican tax scam on December 20th, Republicans were downright giddy in their belief that giving massive handouts to big corporations and billionaires, while jacking up healthcare costs for the middle-class, would somehow save their imperiled majority. Six months later, it appears that their strategy is collapsing under the weight of public opinion. The Republican tax bill is increasingly unpopular by the month as voters realize who actually benefited, to the point that many vulnerable Republicans aren’t even trying to sell anymore.

“Speaker Ryan and vulnerable House Republicans failed to pass a real middle class tax package that puts working families first, and they’ve understandably failed to sell this bill to the American people over the last six months,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “The American people know they got a raw deal, and they know exactly who to blame.”

In case you missed it, the DCCC previously released two digital ad campaigns in partnership with a writer and producer on Arrested Development, Funny or Die, and Community. Watch “Diamond Teeth” and “Bonus Checks”.

Here’s what they had to say…

There is no positive outcome in November if we do not show that we cut taxes for the middle class and are working to make their lives better. Period.” Congressional Leadership Fund

“Answer this question and I will tell you if we keep the House or not. In 10 months, does the middle class think we cut their taxes? Every member of the Republican Party should be spending all of their time selling the tax plan. Everything else is a waste of time and money.” – Congressional Leadership Fund

“I think it will be an important part of the great American comeback we’ll be selling in November.” – NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers

“If we stay focused on selling the tax reform package, I think we’re going to hold the House and things are going to be OK for us.” NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers

Here’s the political reality…

DCCC MEMO: New DCCC Data – GOP Tax Bill Support Dropping Fast

Monmouth University Poll [June 12-13, 2018]

  • 34% of the public approve of the Republican tax plan, 41% disapprove
  • Approval is down 6 points since late April

NBC/WSJ [June 1-4, 2018]

  • A plurality of voters (42%) would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supports Trump’s tax bill

NBC/WSJ [April 8-11, 2018]

  • Just 27% of Americans call the GOP tax plan a good idea, down from 30% in January
  • 53% foresee a negative impact from higher deficits and disproportionate benefits for the wealthy and big corporations

CBS/YouGov Poll [May 24-30, 2018]

  • Only 31% of participants have felt a positive impact from the Republican tax bill, while 42% haven’t felt much of an impact at all and 19% report having been impacted for the worst

NBC/WSJ [April 8-11, 2018]

  • When asked to consider the potential effects of the Republican tax plan, 53% of Americans foresee a negative impact from higher deficits and disproportionate benefits for the wealthy and big corporations

Politico/Morning Consult [April 19-23, 2018]

  • 22% of registered voters reported seeing paycheck increases while 55% said they hadn’t noticed a bump

CNBC’s All America Economic Survey [March 17-20, 2018]

  • Only 32% of the public reports having more take home pay because of the Republican tax bill while 52% say they have seen no change in their pay checks

Gallup [February 26-March 4, 2018]

  • 32% of U.S. adults say they have seen an increase in their take-home pay because of the tax bill while 64% of U.S. adults report that they have not seen an increase

Politico/Morning Consult [February 15-19, 2018]

  • Only 25% of registered voters say they have noticed an increase in their paycheck under the Republican tax law while 51% say they haven’t seen any change




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