Sen. Ed Markey. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- As the House and Senate negotiators work out the differences between the two tax bills that passed, Democrats--including Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey--say Republicans are only seeking tax benefits for the rich.
Sen. Markey told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz the bill would be "a big net negative" for the state of Massachusetts--and called the bill a "scam."
"The winners are the wealthiest people in our country, they're the biggest corporations," he said. "The losers are ordinary families, graduate students, and ultimately, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, because they now are going to put a bullseye on those programs to slash them to pay for this bill."
He said the GOP was trying to give a "trillion-dollar tax break to the wealthiest people and the wealthiest corporations in America."
The nearly-500-page bill included some hand-written edits, and some of the writings can be difficult to read.
"They were hand-writing in more tax breaks for corporations and wealthy people at the last hour, without any hearings, without any witnesses," he said.
Although there are some tax cuts in the plan, Markey says more residents will see a tax increase because of the elimination of the state and local tax deductions.
Markey said he believes the Republican Party will pay a price in the next election if they pass the bill.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports