Twelve Senate Challengers Pledge to Repeal 40% Health Benefits Tax

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNITE HERE, an organization representing 270,000 working people across North America, today announced its endorsement slate for candidates seeking election to the United States Senate this November. The emerging Senate candidates are: Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ); Kamala Harris (CA); Patrick Murphy (FL); Tammy Duckworth (IL); Evan Bayh (IN); Chris Van Hollen (MD); Jason Kander (MO); Catherine Cortez Masto (NV); Maggie Hassan (NH); Deborah Ross (NC); Ted Strickland (OH) and Katie McGinty (PA).

"This election is crucial for a number of reasons," said D. Taylor, President of UNITE HERE. "Of course we must – and we will -- defeat the menace of Donald Trump. His nativist, bigoted agenda is a disgrace to America as a nation of immigrants who strive for a better life."

"More affirmatively," said Taylor, "we must fight for a United States Senate that will champion truly affordable, accessible healthcare for all. This starts with fixing the Affordable Care Act through immediate repeal of the 40% tax on health benefits. More than 11 million Americans live in poverty because of health care costs, and the 40% tax is forcing employers to raise out of pocket costs even higher. The dozen candidates we are endorsing today have joined Secretary Clinton in pledging to repeal the 40% tax."

"When they get to Washington," said Taylor, "this fresh slate of Senators will fight to stop taxes on good coverage for over 156 million Americans, to stop big Pharma from gouging consumers, and to support genuine marketplace competition in health care. We're supporting Secretary Hillary Clinton because she champions these same issues. We will continue to champion all of our candidates as long as they champion our issues."

UNITE HERE has among the most diverse memberships of any union in America, made up predominantly of women and people of color, and hailing from all over the planet. "We are proud to endorse 12 candidates for U.S. Senate who support comprehensive immigration reform and reject Donald Trump's racist vision for America," said Taylor.

Over the last three decades, the women and men of UNITE HERE have negotiated hundreds of contracts with hospitality industry employers, sacrificing billions of dollars in wage increases to build, maintain and fund the best and most affordable family health care in America. The 40% tax forces families to pay again. "We expect our endorsed candidates to work with us and members of Congress in Washington to end the ACA's double-payment scheme," said President Taylor.

"UNITE HERE is proud to endorse this slate of new leaders for the U.S. Senate along with Hillary Clinton for President.  With our endorsement comes our commitment to do everything in our power to help deliver victory to these deserving candidates," concluded Taylor.

SOURCE UNITE HERE