WATCH: As Republicans Push for Tax Cuts for Wealthy, Kelly Fights to Protect Working Families

“The median income in this country is about $80,000. It would take 1,245 years for someone making the median income in America to earn $100 million dollars”

As Republicans try to pass the Trump agenda of tax cuts for the wealthiest paid for by the American people, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor at 4:00 a.m. EST in support of his amendment to prevent anyone making more than $100 million per year from getting a tax cut. Kelly’s amendment was part of a series of votes to try to set a limit on just how rich someone had to be to not get a tax cut under the Trump plan, but Senate Republicans blocked them all. 

Sen. Kelly speaks on the Senate floor

“We’re debating who in this country is so rich that they don’t need a tax cut,” said Kelly. “So, here’s my proposal: can we at least agree, among all of us, that no one making more than $100 million per year should get a tax cut?” 

Kelly emphasized the vast income disparity, pointing out: “The median income in this country is about $80,000 per year. It would take 1,245 years for someone making the median income in America to earn $100 million. That’s about 15 lifetimes.” 

Trump and Republicans are pushing tax cuts for rich people and big corporations on the backs of American families, making health care and food more expensive for working families, slashing essential government functions and services that keep Americans safe, cutting investments in high-speed internet and energy manufacturing that creates jobs, and exploding the national debt.  

Kelly ended his speech by urging his colleagues to take a stand against tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, stating: “Does somebody THAT rich need a tax cut? I don’t think so. So, vote yes if you agree.”

Click here to watch and download Kelly’s remarks, delivered at 4:00 a.m. EST.