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Rep. Tom Reed says the growing number of voices in Washington advocating for comprehensive tax reform is a good sign that the 113th Congress will be successful in simplifying the current 70,000-page tax code.

“Leadership on both sides of the aisle and in both the House and Senate are coming out in support of tax reform,” said Rep. Reed. “This is good news for families and small businesses throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes who could use simplification from the current tax code.

“We heard the President talk about tax reform in his State of the Union speech earlier this year and Jack Lew, confirmed last week as Treasury Secretary, is also adding his voice to those supportive of moving tax reform forward. Having leaders on the other side of the aisle join us in working toward comprehensive tax reform is something I am optimistic about, so long as comprehensive tax reform serves to simplify the code and make it fairer. It should not be a vehicle for another tax increase to pay for more of Washington’s spending.”

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp recently announced eleven tax reform working groups responsible for reviewing current law and compiling feedback that will be reported back to the full Ways and Means Committee. Reed was named to four bipartisan comprehensive tax reform working groups: Energy, Manufacturing, Education and Family Benefits, and Real Estate. The groups met last week for their initial organizational meetings and will meet regularly through the spring.

“Regardless of party or politics, everyone can agree that comprehensive tax reform should result in a simpler, fairer tax code for families and more jobs for American workers,” said Chairman Camp. “In addition to Committee hearings, these working groups will be one more way for the Committee to gather the necessary information to produce the best possible legislation that can help hard-working families like the ones Tom represents.”

“We’re going to take the time to do the work in the House and reach out to the general public, academics, think tanks, practitioners and advocacy groups to gather as much information as possible so that we can put forward good, sound policies that help individuals and small businesses fill out and file their own tax returns instead of spending time and money navigating the 70,000-page tax code,” Reed added.

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