[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 167 (Tuesday, October 22, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Congressional Review Act

  Madam President, later this week, Senate Democrats are going to use 
their authority under the Congressional Review Act to force a vote to 
repeal the IRS's harmful rule that effectively eliminates State 
charitable tax credits all across the country.
  I know my Republican colleagues want to frame this CRA vote as a vote 
on the State and local tax credit cap they put in place in tax reform. 
I disagree. I vehemently disagree with that policy and will look to 
change it as soon as possible.
  It has hurt so many people who are middle class and not wealthy in 
New York and also in suburbs throughout the country. By the way, it is 
probably one of the major reasons the House flipped from Republican to 
Democrats. So many of those districts in New Jersey, California, New 
York, and Pennsylvania were affected by the SALT cap, and people 
throughout rebelled against their Republican Congress, and they put new 
people in.
  But it affects other things as well. The regulation we will be voting 
on impacts State charitable credits virtually across every State, 
ranging in areas from education to conservation, to child care, and 
more.
  Do not take my word for it. In Kentucky, the Community Foundation of 
Louisville, a major philanthropic organization, has warned that IRS's 
rule will effectively extinguish the endowed Kentucky program, which 
has generated more than $31 million in charitable donations.
  Look at South Carolina, where my friend Senator Graham has made clear 
that this rule will have devastating consequences for the South 
Carolina Research Authority, which helps startup companies in his State 
create new jobs.
  Let's go to Colorado, where the Boys and Girls Club of Chafee County 
warned that ``these proposed regulations will severely limit the 
effectiveness of our Colorado Chile Care Contribution Tax Credit,'' 
which they say will ``limit our ability to address an issue which is 
fundamental to the economic health of the community.'' The list goes on 
and on.
  I ask my Republican colleagues, before we vote on the CRA tomorrow, 
to look at how it affects their State, not just in terms of State and 
local taxes but charitable contributions, education, homeschool, and 
many other areas.
  The vote is about getting rid of an IRS rule that hinders State 
programs, like the ones I have mentioned. My Republican colleagues have 
always proclaimed that they are defenders of States' rights and the 
10th Amendment. Here is an opportunity for them to walk the walk and to 
stop the IRS from making life harder on both taxpayers and local 
economies. I urge them to vote with us to repeal this rule.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority whip.