Bernie Sanders’ ex-spokesperson apprehensive over effectiveness of SALT deductions

Briahna Joy Gray, former national press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign, said that while Democrats’ efforts to cap state and local tax (SALT) deductions was “noble,” she was unsure if the provision would be effective in their social spending bill.

A provision included in the House-passed version of Democrats’ social programs and climate bill would raise SALT deductions to $80,000 from its current $10,000, though some Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns over the SALT deductions. 

“Bernie, as often he is, is right about this. His proposal is to limit the cap to families making under $400,000 a year. A noble effort, although one might also point out that that’s still very affluent Americans getting a tax cut, when so many hands were wrung over the idea of extended unemployment benefits and a $2,000 check,” she said during a Wednesday appearance on Hill.TV’s “Rising.”

“At the end of the day, this is still a tax cut for the rich and it’s bad optics, even if it’s marginally saved. Do I think it’s actually going to work? Maybe, but it’s one of these… What is my colleague, Senator Nina Turner like to say, ‘half a bowl of poop?’ kind of a moment,” she added. 

Gray’s comments come as the Senate is expected to take up the House-passed reconciliation package after the Thanksgiving break. Democrats anticipate there will be changes to elements of the bill in order to retain the support of key moderates Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).