Arent Fox Hosts Public Policy Forum on Tax Policy

This particular Forum, titled “Tax Policy in the 114th Congress – Challenges and Opportunities,” featured Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) as the keynote speaker and a panel of tax policy experts. More than 100 attendees gathered in Arent Fox’s auditorium for this presentation.

Senator Byron Dorgan gave welcome remarks and Senator Robert Bennett introduced Senator Hatch, who serves as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. In his presentation, Senator Hatch spoke about current US tax policies and offered insights into potential legislative action. He shared plans to introduce comprehensive tax overhaul legislation later this year. “This is not an exercise for me,” he said. “This isn't just for show. The only goal when it comes to tax reform is to make new law.”

At the beginning of the year, the Government Relations Group identified tax policy as a hot topic for its Public Policy Forum series. “Our tax system in the U.S. is in desperate need of reform! We need a tax system that is less complicated, more fair, and one that promotes economic growth,” said Senator Dorgan after the event. “Tax reform is a timely issue and this turned out to be a very successful event. Senator Hatch gave a strong keynote speech and the panel discussion was lively and interesting.”

Following the keynote presentation, Rep. Phil English moderated a panel of bipartisan tax policy experts who discussed a wide range of tax policy issues facing our country. The panelists included Scott Hodge, President, Tax Foundation; Aruna Kalyanam, Minority Staff Director Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, Ways & Means Committee; Donald Marron, Fellow, Urban Institute; and Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute.

Rep. English spoke about the event, saying “Senator Hatch put out a very important marker which can drive bipartisan tax reform.” He added, “I think it is very clear that it is possible that there could be a down payment on tax reform in the form of a competitiveness initiative for the business community that, in turn, would lay the groundwork for comprehensive reform on both the individual and corporate side.”