In Tax Vote, Central Ohio Congress Members Fell To Party Lines

The GOP's tax overhaul bill passed the U.S. House on Thursday, with Ohio lawmakers falling along party lines for the vote. Republican Reps. Pat Tiberi and Steve Stivers voted for the bill and Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty voted against.

Tiberi, a top member of the House Ways And Means Committee who will step down early next year, praised the bill as being pro-growth and pro-family in his statement.

"For the average middle-income family of four in my district, it’s a tax cut of $2,700," said Tiberi, who represents Ohio's 12th District.

Beatty, who represents the 3rd District, referred to it as a "short-sighted Republican tax scam bill" that she said "would increase taxes on 36 million Americans—and double tax many working families—while the 4,000 wealthiest American families would not pay a penny in estate taxes."

In his statement, Stivers, who represents the 15th District, said the bill would bring jobs back and make America competitive again.

"As tax reform continues through the legislative process, I believe we can unite and pass this important legislation for the American people," Stivers said.

A tax reform bill in the Senate is currently working its way through committee, on which both Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Rob Portman serve.