Conservative Group Campaigns For Tax Reform Across Party Lines

Americans for Prosperity, a fiscal conservative advocacy group, says it’s ramping up campaign efforts to push for federal tax reform as lawmakers anticipate a move from the Trump administration.

The group is looking for support across the aisle as Vice President Mike Pence returns home Friday to put pressure on Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Americans for Prosperity says it wants comprehensive reform that makes taxes fairer, flatter and simpler for everyone.

Justin Stevens, director of the group’s Indiana chapter, says they’re focused on getting support from Donnelly. He says unlike other Democrats, Donnelly seems open to some kind of reform.

"Just as we’ve seen in the past, this can be a bipartisan issue," Stevens says. "If you look back into the '80s, it was something that people from both sides of the aisle agreed up on, and we're hoping that we can come to that same conclusion here."

During his visit Pence is expected to talk more about the administration’s plan. Donnelly will attend that event.

The Hoosier Democratic senator met recently with President Donald Trump and says his focus is using tax reform to reclaim outsourced jobs and prevent more jobs from leaving the country.

Correction: The quote above, about the history of tax reform, was incorrectly attributed to Senator Joe Donnelly. The quote is from Justin Stevens.

UPDATE: Senator Donnelly has released a statement about the Vice President's visit:

“As we discuss tax reform, I believe that any reform effort should include policies that will create new jobs, protect existing jobs, and benefit middle class and working families. That is what I’ve discussed with President Trump, and I’m pleased he has been supportive of my proposals to prevent the outsourcing of jobs.”