Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) introduced the State and Local Tax (SALT) Fairness amendment to the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. The amendment would have provided tax relief to Californians and other Americans who are financially hurting because of high-taxes paired with the economic devastation caused by state-mandated lockdowns. Specifically, the amendment would remove the unfair SALT deduction cap of $10,000.

“One of my top priorities in Congress from day one has been to repeal the SALT deduction cap, which is why I have introduced an amendment to do just that," said Garcia. "Since the COVID-19 relief bill only puts nine percent towards actual relief, I thought this would be a chance to make this bill do what it should do, provide relief to Americans hurting as a result of COVID-19 and related lockdowns.”

Garcia, who is committed to ensuring that Americans receive the support necessary to combat the virus, introduced his amendment in an attempt to make the relief bill actually provide relief. However, due to the partisan nature of the COVID-19 relief bill, House democrats blocked his amendment.

“The COVID-19 relief bill was created in a vacuum chamber of democrat ideals, with little input from House Republicans," said Garcia, "A bill of such proportions should be thoughtfully drafted in a bipartisan manner, not behind closed doors. The democrats blocking my amendment, which would have achieved something that has bipartisan support, proves that this process has been entirely partisan.”

Currently, there is still over $1 trillion in unspent COVID-19 funds. This additional $1.9 trillion bill would expand the nation’s already alarming $27 trillion in debt.

“What Americans need and want is to receive the support and help they need to get through these hard times and reopen our nation again,” said Garcia. “Instead, Congress is pushing a partisan bill that only adds to our already $27 trillion in debt and funds things like the Silicon Valley Underground Transit Expansion. Not only does this bill fund partisan projects, but it would also do things like force billions in Medicare cuts. This bill is a slap in the face to the American people and Congress must do better. I am committed to working in a bipartisan way to work to meet the needs of the American people and help ensure people have the support they need – this bill was unfortunately not that.”

Garcia has been a proponent of ensuring Californians have the support they need to recover and reopen. He voted in support of the $2,000 stimulus checks in addition to voting to refill the Paycheck Protection program. Garcia has also introduced a bill, the Vaccinate More Americans Act, to help ensure that more vaccines are going to Americans in need rather than sitting in freezers.