Sherrill slams ‘cruel’ Trump-backed bill as Ciattarelli cheers tax cuts

The two candidates in the New Jersey governor’s race took different positions on a sweeping, Donald Trump-backed bill that narrowly passed the House today, with Democrat Mikie Sherrill voting against a measure she called “cruel” and Republican Jack Ciattarelli touting tax breaks for middle-class New Jerseyans.

Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman, said the bill would “kick hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans off their healthcare and raise costs for even more, cut food assistance for working families, and increase the cost of utilities and mortgages.”

“Once again, I’m disgusted, yet not surprised, that my Washington Republican colleagues could not find the courage to stand up and do what is right by the American people,” said Sherrill.  “This bill is ripping apart the very foundation of that dream by giving handouts to the richest Americans while making working families pay the price.”

Ciattarelli applauded the “quadrupling the SALT deduction to $40,000 for people making under $500k a year, expanding the child tax credit, and eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, tips, and overtime pay.”

“Nearly every person in our state will receive a significant tax break, especially working and middle-class New Jerseyans,” Ciattarelli stated.

The Republican criticized Sherrill for promising to restore and raise the SALT CAP since her first campaign for Congress in 2018 and not getting it done.

“Make no mistake: Mikie Sherrill voted to raise your taxes today, and she will raise them even more as governor if we let her get there,” Ciattarelli said.

Sherrill accused the GOP of “funneling New Jersey’s hard-earned tax dollars to Trump’s billionaire friends and donors.”

“House Republicans passed a piece of legislation that will leave families without health care, cause children to go hungry, drive up utility and mortgage prices for middle-class families, and pay more in taxes,” she said.  “Jack Ciattarelli proudly supports all of it.”

The Democratic gubernatorial nominee bashed Ciattarelli for suggesting that the bill won’t create any harm for New Jersey.

“Let me tell you, raising health insurance premiums on 450,000 New Jerseyans, increasing taxes on New Jerseyans by $30 billion, and raising families’ monthly utility bills is certainly a big problem,” said Sherrill.

Ciattarelli promised to “always support a strong and stable safety net for the less fortunate, the disabled, seniors, families with young children, and expectant mothers.”

“We must always protect Medicaid for people who need it and ensure the program remains strong and sustainable – and as governor, I will always stand up for what is best for New Jersey,” he said.

Ciattarelli strongly backs a plan to end “handouts for illegal immigrants.”

“I also believe it’s common sense that able-bodied adults – without young children – are required to work, volunteer, or go to school for just 20 hours a week to remain eligible for benefits,” the GOP candidate said.  “That’s both fair and compassionate.”

He slammed Sherrill for voting “to give billions upon billions in taxpayer handouts with no strings attached to illegal immigrants and other people gaming the system at your expense.”

“Just like Phil Murphy has done in New Jersey for eight long years,” said Ciattarelli.  “As Governor, I’ll restore common sense, protect the most vulnerable, and make New Jersey more affordable for all.”

Sherrill lambasted Ciattarelli for his ties to Trump, who endorsed him in the Republican primary.

“Despite the chaos and pain this bill will cause, Jack’s all in because he only cares about an audience of one: Trump,” she explained. “On the other hand, my North Star has always been about service to this country and doing right by the people of New Jersey. I’ll continue to fight for New Jersey while Jack will keep fighting for Trump.”