WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released a statement after Senate Republicans passed a major tax overhaul early Wednesday morning without any input from Democrats. The Republican plan will give massive tax breaks to large corporations and the rich, raise taxes on many working families, and repeal major components of the Affordable Care Act.

“This isn’t tax reform. This is a giveaway to the rich and powerful. It gives mind blowing, massive tax cuts to the wealthy, and throws crumbs at working people while quietly doubling everybody’s health insurance premiums over the next seven years,” said Murphy. “And Republicans have already started using the trillion-dollar deficit this bill creates as an excuse to start slashing funding for the things Americans need – schools, roads, Social Security and Medicare.”

“I truly believe our tax code should be simplified and restructured in a way that gets rid of unfair loopholes and levels the playing field for workers and small businesses. I will keep working toward that goal. But until then, I’ll fight like hell to make sure Washington doesn’t use this awful tax bill as an excuse to gut the Medicare and Social Security benefits that Connecticut residents rely on," Murphy added.