D’Esposito opposes Trump tax cuts without SALT deduction reinstatement
D’Esposito demands SALT deduction for Long Island before backing Trump tax cuts
Freshman Representative Anthony D’Esposito has stated that he will oppose the renewal of the Trump tax cuts, set to expire at the end of 2025, unless Congress reinstates the state and local tax (SALT) deduction for Long Island homeowners facing heavy tax burdens. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress introduced a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, significantly impacting homeowners in the New York City suburbs who often pay between $20,000 to $30,000 in property taxes.
“If there is no SALT, we’re not supporting it,” D’Esposito said during a meeting with the editorial board on Thursday. He stressed the need for extensive discussions on the matter. D’Esposito is competing against Democrat Laura Gillen in a close rematch in the 4th Congressional District, which stretches from Long Island’s south shore through central Nassau County. The SALT deduction remains a critical issue in the district, where many homeowners face high property taxes, state income taxes, and other levies exceeding the cap.
D’Esposito has endorsed a proposal aiming to eliminate the “marriage penalty” for joint filers earning under $500,000. He emphasised his willingness to oppose his party to advocate for his constituents. “I don’t always listen to my party. We have been the biggest, loudest mouths against his [Trump’s] tax policies,” D’Esposito remarked.
LaLota failed to get the state and local tax (SALT) deduction back — Republicans took it away as part of a political stunt. With @JohnAvlon, #SuffolkCounty families would see an average of $10k back in their pockets. If LaLota is elected, that money’s gone for good. pic.twitter.com/0jXYsklSIx
— Team Avlon (@TeamAvlonNY) October 24, 2024
Last month, Trump indicated a willingness to lift the SALT cap or fully restore the deduction if re-elected. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, approved by Trump, had reduced income taxes for many New York residents and lowered corporate taxes from 28% to 21%.
D’Esposito is a member of the House bipartisan SALT caucus, which is pushing to restore the deduction. He mentioned that lawmakers would need to identify offsetting cuts or savings to compensate for the revenue loss from reinstating SALT. “The only presidential nominee talking about SALT is Donald Trump,” the retired NYPD officer said. He added that any effort to restore SALT would likely come from Republicans, noting Trump’s responsiveness to their concerns.
D’Esposito previously voted against a House Republican tax-cutting package because it did not restore the SALT deduction. He believes New York House members will have significant influence in the next Congress, as a slim majority by either party could make every vote crucial for passing legislation.
Gillen criticised D’Esposito’s performance regarding the SALT deduction, stating that he failed to deliver during his term. “Anthony D’Esposito has been in the majority in Congress for two years and hasn’t delivered on SALT. He is counting on voters forgetting that he’s failed and that Trump is the one who imposed this punitive tax policy,” Gillen said. She pledged to work towards reinstating the SALT deduction if elected to Congress.
Critics have argued that the SALT deduction benefits wealthy homeowners in Democratic-run states with high taxes. D’Esposito acknowledged the negative nature of his re-election campaign, with significant spending on ads by Gillen and the Democrats attacking him on various issues, including abortion rights and his police record.
Although pro-life, D’Esposito opposes a federal ban on abortion. He also presented himself as the stronger candidate to promote economic growth, control inflation, enhance border security, support Israel, and combat anti-Semitism. The district includes a significant pro-Israel Jewish population.
He criticised Gillen, describing her as unfit for the congressional seat. “Every single one of her ads is negative. She doesn’t have a vision for the future,” he said. “The term ‘lying Laura’ wasn’t coined by me. She epitomises gaslighting.”
D’Esposito addressed a recent report about his relationship with Devin Fass, whom he allegedly had an affair with while employing her part-time in his Garden City congressional office. The congressman maintained that he did not violate House ethics rules by employing Fass.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Gothamist highlights Trump’s promise to restore the SALT tax credit he previously capped, a move aimed at winning over New York voters and addressing tax concerns in high-taxed states.(read more)
- Suozzi.house.gov reports Trump vows to restore full SALT deduction, but Democrats are skeptical, highlighting concerns about its feasibility and potential cost impacts on the U.S. budget.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is Anthony D’Esposito’s stance on the Trump tax cuts?
He opposes renewing them without reinstating the SALT deduction.
Why is the SALT deduction important for Long Island homeowners?
They often have high property taxes exceeding the $10,000 cap.
What proposal has D’Esposito endorsed regarding joint filers?
He supports eliminating the ‘marriage penalty’ for joint filers earning under $500,000.
What criticism did Laura Gillen have about D’Esposito’s performance?
She said he failed to deliver on reinstating the SALT deduction during his term.
Does D’Esposito support a federal ban on abortion?
No, he opposes a federal ban on abortion despite being pro-life.
