The anti-tax group Club for Growth is pressing Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) to back the extension of President Donald Trump‘s tax cuts in Congress.
New ads from the organization call on each of them to pass Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” which would extend his 2017 tax cuts and prevent what Republicans are describing as the largest tax hike in American history.
In the ad targeting Perry, Club for Growth thanks him for supporting the bill and says that constituents should do so as well.
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“Perry is protecting Pennsylvania jobs and pocketbooks from the largest tax hike in history,” a voice says in the spot. “For the welder, the waitress, the senior citizen, the small business owner, delivering permanent tax relief for our families. Tell Scott Perry, ‘thank you, and keep fighting for Pennsylvania.’”
In a five-figure ad buy, Club for Growth says the Perry spot will run on digital and on TV in his district.
While the Perry ad mostly praises the congressman, Lawler’s ad pushes him to back the bill. Lawler is holding his support for the measure for now because he wants an increase in the state and local tax deduction, known as the SALT cap.
Lawler has said he’s a hard no on the bill until the SALT cap is raised beyond what GOP leadership is offering at the moment. The ad, however, encourages him to vote yes.
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“Washington could slam you with a massive tax hike, hitting your wallet harder than ever,” the 30-second spot says. “If Congress lets Trump’s tax cuts expire, there’s no end in sight to New Yorkers’ misery.”
The Lawler ad will run Thursday and Friday on Fox News, Fox Business, and Newsmax, and on Sunday on Fox News Sunday.
David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth and a former congressman, hopes that Lawler will come around and support the bill in the end.
“We hope Mike Lawler supports President Trump’s tax cuts and doesn’t vote alongside Democrats to support the biggest tax hike in American history,” McIntosh said.
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While the GOP is working hard to brand the bill as a tax cut and its opponents as tax hikers, Democrats have zeroed in on what they say are Medicaid cuts included in the bill, which add work requirements that could trim the program’s enrollment numbers.
Previously, Club for Growth launched an ad encouraging Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) to back the Trump tax cuts, though that may be a long shot given his concerns over possible cuts to entitlement programs.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Perry and Lawler’s offices seeking comment.
