By Kate Bradshaw, Creative Loafing, published Dec. 5, 2017

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, isn't happy with congressional Republicans' pending tax overhaul.

Like many Democrats, she said in her weekly HouseWatch email alert that she views the legislation — similar to the measure the U.S. Senate passed last week — as a deliberate effort to siphon money from the middle class for the benefit of the wealthiest one percent of Americans.

But unlike many Democrats, as one of five House members from her party who have been tapped to help negotiate with Republicans on the proposal, she is (in theory) in a position to do something about it. The question, of course, is whether Republicans will pay any mind to their outrage...er...concerns.

Castor said reforming the tax system ought to instead have the aim of growing earnings and worker productivity and, unlike the current reform proposal, help strengthen the middle class rather than the wealthiest one percent of Americans.

"During my years representing the Tampa Bay area in Congress, I haven’t seen a bill that is more unfair and unwise," Castor said.

She added that fighting over details of taxes and, earlier this year, healthcare, has led Congress to ignore pressing matters including hurricane relief, renewing the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), reforming flood insurance and addressing the imperiled Dream Act.

"Republicans control the House, Senate and the White House so it is a bit mystifying why they cannot govern on a basic responsibility," Castor said.

She added that she's filed a bill that would end taxpayer and campaign money subsidies to help the members of Congress settle workplace harassment cases and has cosponsored the "Me Too" Act, which reforms the process for filing such complaints against members of Congress.

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