Conservative groups urge House members to back ‘transformative tax reform’

More than 20 conservative groups are sending a letter to House members on Wednesday asking them to support tax reform, as Republicans hope to make significant progress on the issue now that they are back in Washington.

“We write to urge you to support meaningful, transformative tax reform that will strengthen economic growth and enable greater prosperity for America’s job creators and middle-class families,” the groups said in a letter that will be delivered to every House member’s office.

Members of Congress returned to Washington on Tuesday following the August recess, and key GOP lawmakers have said they would like to pass tax-reform legislation by the end of the year. President Trump has been increasing his focus on the issue in recent days and is delivering a speech on taxes in North Dakota later on Wednesday. 

{mosads}But other issues will take up much of Congress’s time in the near future, including aid for areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, the debt limit and funding for federal agencies.

The conservative groups said the benefits of tax reform will be “widespread, with gains touching every corner of our nation.”

They said that Congress and the White House have a “once-in-a-generation chance” to pass tax-reform legislation this year and that the opportunity to do so “calls for nothing short of unity of purpose, courage of conviction, and visionary leadership in pursuit of a victory American workers and job creators deserve.”

The letter was spearheaded by the American Action Network, which is aligned with House GOP leadership and launched a multimillion dollar campaign over the summer to sell tax reform. Other signers included Americans for Tax Reform, FreedomWorks and the National Taxpayers Union.

Some conservative groups were at odds with GOP lawmakers during the healthcare debate earlier this year. The letter’s signatories wanted House members to know that conservatives support their tax overhaul efforts.

“As you push forward, know that the American conservative movement, and millions of conservatives across the country, stand squarely behind you,” they wrote.