He claims it would help and benefit his constituents, but he opposes the legislation itself? Democratic Rep. Jim Himes acknowledges that the GOP’s proposed SALT cap increase would benefit Connecticut residents, despite opposing the broader legislation that includes it. The SALT increase would benefit households making $500,000 or less per year. Connecticut Democrat Recognizes Benefits of GOP Tax Proposal Representative Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, has publicly acknowledged that Republicans’ proposal to raise the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions would benefit his constituents. Despite voting against the broader legislation, Himes recognized the potential advantage for residents in high-tax states like Connecticut. The GOP plan would increase the SALT deduction cap from the current $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning $500,000 or less annually, reversing some restrictions imposed by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The SALT deduction allows taxpayers who itemize on their federal returns to deduct certain taxes paid to state and local governments. When Republicans capped this deduction at $10,000 in 2017, it disproportionately affected residents in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California—predominantly Democratic-leaning states. The cap has been a point of contention between the parties since its implementation, with Democrats previously attempting unsuccessfully to raise the limit in both 2021 and 2022. The House-passed budget bill's SALT cap increase "is going to be good" for Connecticut, which has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the U.S., says Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), but adds, the bill "fails spectacularly" otherwise. "The American people want basically three… pic.twitter.com/XdAjfZ3pXu — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 25, 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Broader Implications The SALT cap increase is just one component of the Republicans’ comprehensive legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The package includes sweeping tax cuts, enhanced border security measures, defense improvements, energy reforms, and over $1.5 trillion in spending reductions. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has championed the bill as targeting government waste and inefficiency rather than cutting essential programs. However, critics point to Congressional Budget Office projections indicating the legislation could add approximately $3.1 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. Among the more controversial aspects of the bill are proposed work requirements for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. According to projections, these changes could potentially affect insurance coverage for approximately 7.7 million Americans. While Republican proponents argue these measures promote self-sufficiency and reduce dependency, Democrats have criticized them as harmful to vulnerable populations who rely on these assistance programs. "Top Connecticut Dem Jim Himes admits GOP SALT increase would ‘be good’ for his state" – New York Post #SmartNews https://t.co/IErcdB5men — Mike (@gupdiver) May 26, 2025 Political Implications and Path Forward The acknowledgment by a prominent Democrat that a Republican tax proposal would benefit his constituents highlights the complex regional dynamics at play in federal tax policy. High-tax states, which tend to vote Democratic, stand to gain significantly from the SALT cap increase. This creates an awkward political situation where Democrats like Himes must balance party opposition to the overall Republican agenda with recognition of provisions that would help their voters. For Republicans, the inclusion of SALT relief could be seen as an attempt to appeal to suburban voters in these high-tax regions. Despite passing the Republican-controlled House, the legislation faces significant challenges in the Senate. Many fiscal conservatives have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the federal deficit, while others question whether the economic growth projections are realistic. The Biden administration has already signaled opposition to the bill in its current form. As the debate continues, the SALT deduction cap remains a uniquely bipartisan issue in an otherwise deeply divided Congress, with representatives from high-tax states on both sides of the aisle advocating for relief for their constituents. Sources: Rep Larson Remarks on SALT deductions at W&M Markup of Social Security and Tax Legislation H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act | Democrats Rules Committee