Bessent blasts Democrat-led states for blocking Trump tax relief in OBBBA
In a recent statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent strongly criticized several Democrat-led states for their refusal to adopt essential provisions of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), a significant tax reform initiative. Bessent specifically called out states like Colorado, New York, and Illinois, as well as the District of Columbia, accusing them of “deliberately blocking their own residents from receiving” the tax relief benefits intended by the legislation. He characterized this resistance as a “blatant act of political obstructionism” that directly undermines the financial well-being of families and workers that these liberal politicians claim to support. By not implementing the tax cuts, Bessent argues that these states are forcing hardworking Americans to bear higher state tax burdens, which exacerbates financial strain on low- and middle-income households.
The OBBB, signed into law on July 4, is touted by Bessent as “the most pro-worker, pro-family tax reform in a generation.” It aims to provide real financial relief to Americans through various measures, including eliminating taxes on tips for service workers, exempting overtime pay from taxation, and introducing a new tax deduction for seniors who depend on Social Security. Bessent emphasized that the legislation represents a commitment to delivering tangible benefits to the “forgotten men and women of America,” and he urged states that have not yet conformed to the new tax provisions to act swiftly. He framed the issue as one of prioritizing American families and their economic stability, asserting that the American people voted for significant change rather than bureaucratic impediments. In a more colorful critique, Bessent even likened the governors of these states to “the Grinches Who Stole Christmas,” suggesting that their actions are robbing citizens of essential financial relief.
Bessent’s remarks underscore the broader political tensions surrounding tax reform and state governance, particularly as the national economy continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He reiterated the Treasury’s commitment to collaborating with states willing to implement the tax cuts, but made it clear that the department will not tolerate what he sees as obstructionism that hinders economic recovery. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of aligning state and federal tax policies, especially in a politically divided landscape where economic strategies are often viewed through partisan lenses. As the situation unfolds, the response from the governors of the affected states remains to be seen, but the implications for their constituents could be significant as they grapple with the financial realities of state tax policies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykPMATcxH9w
FIRST ON FOX:
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday criticized several Democrat-led states for refusing to adopt key provisions of President
Donald Trump
‘s landmark
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
(OBBB), the sweeping tax bill.
Bessent argued that states such as Colorado,
New York
and Illinois and the District of Columbia are “deliberately blocking their own residents from receiving” the tax relief provided under the law, calling the move “a blatant act of political obstructionism” and a “direct assault on the very families and workers liberal politicians claim to champion.”
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“By denying their residents access to these important tax cuts, these governors and legislators are forcing hardworking Americans to shoulder higher state tax burdens, robbing them of the relief they deserve and exacerbating the financial squeeze on low- and middle-income households,” Bessent said.
In a separate post on X, Bessent circulated a meme casting New York’s Kathy Hochul, Colorado’s Jared Polis, and
Illinois
’ JB Pritzker as “the Grinches Who Stole Christmas.”
The offices of Hochul, Polis and Pritzker did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. It is not immediately clear which deductions the governors are blocking.
He said Trump’s legislation, which was signed into law on July 4, represents “the most pro-worker, pro-family tax reform in a generation,” noting that it puts more money directly into the pockets of hardworking Americans through measures such as, “No Tax on Tips” for service-industry employees, “No Tax on Overtime” and a new tax deduction for seniors who rely on Social Security.
Bessent said Trump’s vision is “clear: real relief for the forgotten men and women of America, certainty for businesses and momentum for growth.”
He urged the remaining holdout states “to immediately conform and stop punishing their citizens for partisan games,” arguing that “the American people voted for bold change, not bureaucratic roadblocks.”
Bessent added that the Treasury stands ready to work with any state committed to delivering on that promise, “but we will not stand idly by as this obstructionism drags down the national recovery.”
“This is about putting America first, starting with the families and workers who make our economy the envy of the world.”
