Through the budget reconciliation process, Congress is deliberating extending tax cuts first enacted in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These benefited the wealthiest Americans, and, if extended, would necessitate cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that protect the most vulnerable. The Tax Policy Center reports that while extending the tax cuts would moderately boost the economy in the short term, the long-term impact will not be enough to offset the cost. As a church, our priority is to center those at the margins of society, including by supporting a tax code that reduces economic disparities.
Instead of extending or making these cuts permanent, Congress has the opportunity to improve our tax system through provisions like expanding tax credits for low- and middle-income households.
In particular, we advocate for the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Each of these tax credits would support Americans struggling to meet their basic needs and would help individuals and families live dignified lives.
Learn more about these tax credits here:
We urge Congress to invest in supporting low-income populations. We also urge them to close loopholes that contribute to tax avoidance and evasion, such as provisions contained in the pass-through deduction. This can help ensure federal investment in communities and individuals across the country can continue. As General Convention has stated, “Christians should insist that our governments seek economic justice, emphasizing the care and protection of the most vulnerable – the poor, the hungry, the sick – people for whose care Christ has taught us we are responsible, both through private efforts and through the collective work of our elected government.”
As Episcopalians we believe the government should seek economic justice and protect the most vulnerable communities, the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the marginalized. Enacting these proven enhancements to the country’s tax code can help us address some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Call on Congress and urge them to make these changes!
Additional Resources:
Federal Tax Debate 2025 – Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
Extending Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | Tax Policy Center
What a Better Tax Bill Would Look Like | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Resolutions
2018-C041: Advocate for Policies Supporting Nutrition, Healthcare, and Housing as Human Rights
2015-A094: Support the Reduction of Economic Disparities by Progressive Taxation
2012-A080: Advocate for Just and Fair Taxation Systems