What Georgia congressmen said about GOP tax ideas

When Tom Graves was first elected to Congress in 2010, he was a popular figure with the tea party movement and a Republican firebrand. Now, he’s become more pragmatic, and it’s helped make him perhaps the most powerful member of Georgia’s congressional delegation. But it has also disappointed some of his past supporters. “He was very much a tea party guy, and then, basically, he began drinking the Potomac Kool-Aid,” said Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party Patriots. “If I had to do it over again, I would not have endorsed him.” Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com

When Tom Graves was first elected to Congress in 2010, he was a popular figure with the tea party movement and a Republican firebrand. Now, he’s become more pragmatic, and it’s helped make him perhaps the most powerful member of Georgia’s congressional delegation. But it has also disappointed some of his past supporters. “He was very much a tea party guy, and then, basically, he began drinking the Potomac Kool-Aid,” said Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party Patriots. “If I had to do it over again, I would not have endorsed him.” Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com

Here’s what Georgia lawmakers on Capitol Hill had to say about the GOP’s new tax reform principles released on Wednesday:

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga.: "President Trump said job one is to grow the economy and the goals he outlined today are guaranteed to make that happen … We have to lower the corporate rate, eliminate the repatriation tax, and simplify the individual code. Implementing these changes will benefit American workers, lift up American families, and ultimately help us start solving our $20 trillion national debt crisis."

Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta: "It is morally wrong to pass tax cuts when policy makers know that seniors, working families, veterans, and future generations will bear the burden of the costs. It is painfully clear that reductions to earned benefits and support services will finance these irresponsible tax cuts."

Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger: "This framework turns the page on our complicated and broken tax system. It's simpler, flatter and fairer than the current tax code. It will put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans. It also promotes economic growth and private-sector job creation by slashing the corporate tax rate – currently the highest in the developed world – and ensuring fair treatment for small businesses."

Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany: "Although the Republican proposal includes some positive provisions, including doubling the standard deduction and eliminating the death tax, I have concerns over the plan's long-term costs and impacts on working families. My hope is that the administration and both parties in Congress will be able to work together on a tax bill that protects all working Americans and does not overly burden our nation's fiscal situation."

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.: "Our competitiveness as a nation is at stake. By simplifying our broken tax code and leveling the playing field, we can help strengthen America's standing in the global marketplace, increase domestic economic growth, create more jobs with higher wages, and provide tax relief for hardworking Georgians."