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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) took to the House floor today to share stories of Mainers who would be hurt by the Republican tax plan. 
 
After meeting with a group of constituents, Pingree voted against the legislation when it came to a House vote two weeks ago. The Senate is currently considering its own version.
 
Full text of her remarks as drafted below. 

Mr. Speaker,
 
I recently sat down with Mainers who are terrified of the Republican tax plan.
 
In tears, a high-school teacher listed the items she purchased for her students in need. Under this plan, she’ll no longer be able to deduct them.
 
A cancer survivor told me she now writes off thousands of dollars of medical expenses every year. No more under the tax plan.
 
A recent college graduate wondered how difficult it would be to achieve his career goals while paying off his student loan debt without a deduction for the interest.
 
A dairy farmer talked about a tax exemption that has allowed farmers to have more control over their businesses by forming co-ops. That’s gone under this GOP tax scam.
 
In 10 years, one in five Mainers will pay more in federal taxes under this plan. Their sacrifices—and our national debt—will pay for generous benefits to massive corporations, foreign investors, and the wealthiest of the wealthy.
 
I urge my colleagues to withdraw this thinly veiled handout for the 1-percenters and bring forth tax reform that will actually benefit the middle class.