Promises made, promises kept.
In a rare occurrence, the United States Senate unanimously approved a bill that would eliminate tip taxes by a vote of 100–0, bringing President Donald Trump’s key campaign promise closer to reality. The legislation was first introduced in January by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and had bipartisan co-sponsorship, which included Nevada’s two Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto.
On Tuesday, Sen. Rosen requested a “unanimous consent” vote on the legislation, which means it would only take one senator to block it, which she believed would happen. But in what was a stunner, no senator objected, which allowed the legislation to pass unanimously.
“Nevada has more tipped workers per capita than any other state. So this bill would mean immediate financial relief for countless hard-working families,” the Democratic senator said.
“‘No Tax on Tips’ was one of President Trump’s key promises to the American people, which he unveiled in my state of Nevada. And I am not afraid to embrace a good idea, wherever it comes from,” she said.
The legislation will now go to the House, where it has broad support from Republicans and Democrats, which means it is highly likely to pass and get to the president’s desk, where he would sign it, and taxes on tips would be a thing of the past.
And in what may have been even more stunning, the legislation was praised by hardline conservative Sen. Cruz, and liberal Democrat Senate Minority Leader and New York Sen. Charles Schumer.
“Whether it passes free-standing or as part of the bigger bill, one way or another, ‘No Tax on Tips’ is going to become law and give real relief to hard-working Americans,” Sen. Cruz said. “So I’m proud of what the Senate just did, and I commend Democrats and Republicans, even at a time of partisan division, coming together and agreeing on this commonsense policy.”
“Working Americans — from servers, to bartenders, delivery drivers, and everything in between — work hard for every dollar they earn and are the ones who deserve tax relief, not the ultra-rich,” Sen. Schumer said. “While President Trump and Republicans push tax breaks for billionaires and stick the middle class with the bill, Senate Democrats are standing strong to protect America’s working families.”
President Trump first announced the policy idea at a Nevada rally in June, at the height of the presidential campaign.
“So, this is the first time I’ve said this, and for those hotel workers and people that get tips, you’re going to be very happy because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips, people making tips. We are not going to do it, and we’re going to do that right away, first thing in office because it’s been a point of contention for years and years and years. And you do a great job of service. You take care of people, and I think it’s going to be something that really is deserved,” the Republican said at the rally.
“More importantly, popular or unpopular. I do some unpopular things too if it’s right for the country. I do what’s right. So those people that have jobs in restaurants, whatever the job may be, a tipping job, we’re not going after it for taxes anymore. This will be ended,” Trump said to the rallygoers.
“And I announced that for the first time, first time I’ve brought it up, first time anyone’s brought it up. I think it’s never been brought up before. And I also think it’s very appropriate,” he said.