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Wasserman Schultz Slams $1,000 Bonuses Due to Tax Reform, Says They Won't Go 'Very Far'

January 25, 2018

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) claimed Thursday that $1,000 bonuses from companies do not go "very far" for middle-class workers.

Schultz, who appeared with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and other Democratic leaders at the #TrumpTax Town Hall at Florida Atlantic University, responded to a question about dozens of corporations giving bonuses and wage increases to their workers due to the Republican tax reform law.

In a clip flagged by America Rising, Schultz responded by downplaying the impact that the bonuses and wage increases will have on middle-class families.

"Frankly, if you look at the bonuses, which I haven't heard of a corporate bonus more than $1,000 so far—which by the way is taxed, so it's not $1,000," Schultz said. "And then you spread $1,000 over the course of a year—to think of about how much that is—of course they get it all at once. But I'm not sure that $1,000—which is taxed, taxable—goes very far for almost anyone."

Schultz's response echoed comments that Pelosi made at the same event, in which she called the bonuses and wage increases that companies are giving workers due to Republican tax reform "crumbs."

"There's a cartoon that I just love," Pelosi said. "There's a little mouse trap who's got a little piece of cheese on there, and there's a mouse about to take it and that's called the middle class … And around it are fat cats," or big businesses.

"And that’s the thing," Pelosi continued. "You get this little thing and we get this big bonanza. You get the crumb, we get the banquet."

Pelosi launched a similar attack on the GOP tax overhaul earlier this month, when she called the bonuses and wage increases "crumbs" and "so pathetic."

Home Depot on Thursday became the latest big company to announce bonuses, publicizing plans to award $200 to hourly workers and $1,000 to workers who have been with the company for at least 20 years due to the tax reform law.