[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 193 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE BISHOP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, you see, tax reform is about 
giving hardworking Americans--of all walks of life--the confidence they 
need to make their dreams a reality.
  So the question that needs to be asked is whether or not the current 
tax code--and all of its targeted credits--really increases people's 
paychecks. . . . Does it treat people fairly? Does it put American 
workers first? What about fostering economic growth, does it help to 
create more good-paying jobs?
  Michigan is a great case study.
  You see, I'm from the Motor City, where we're known for our blue 
collar work ethic. Our families come from humble beginnings. They get 
up every morning and go to work to make ends meet, and to build a 
better future for their kids. And we've persevered through some of the 
most serious economic death spirals. Take 2008, for example.
  At that time, I was Senate Majority Leader in Michigan under the last 
administration, overseeing the only Republican branch of government. I 
saw firsthand how that administration pursued one targeted tax credits 
after another that favored one industry over the other. It was the 
classic example of the government picking winners and losers--and, as 
expected, it failed miserably.
  As we see at the federal level today, in Michigan many of these 
targeted tax benefits were paid for by everyone else: in the form of 
tax increases. And not only did it fail to attract growth in emerging 
sectors as they hoped, but it caused our economy to tailspin.
  Michigan quickly became the only state in the country experiencing 
zero economic growth. Per capita income went from one of the highest, 
to one of the lowest in a matter of just a few years.
  By 2009, unemployment hit nearly 15 percent. (Neighboring states with 
more hospitable environments for job growth attracted our family and 
neighbors).
  More than 800,000 people left our state. Just think about that. . . . 
We were the only state to lose population--and we would have lost even 
more had people been able to sell their homes.
  But as the Senate Majority Leader of the only Republican branch of 
government, we didn't just say ``no'' to the government's failed 
policies, we offered solutions and loaded up the pipeline with 
legislation to help the newly-elected Republican legislature and 
Governor Rick Snyder get to work on day one.
  What did we do? Exactly what we're doing here today: tax reform.
  While balancing budgets, we found ways to lower rates on individuals. 
Reduced baseline rates for job creators, and eliminated the credits 
that favored certain industries over others. We created an environment 
that would grow the economy, and help families get ahead.
  And sure enough, just two months after these reforms, job growth 
turned positive again in Michigan.
  In 2017, Michigan is now a top 10 pro-business state, ranked 12th 
among all states for overall business tax climate. Unemployment in 
Livingston County, in my district, is at 3.3 percent as of this 
September. And the comeback continues.
  Detroit is re-emerging again as an economic powerhouse. The streets 
are alive with entrepreneurs and young people, who live downtown. The 
future looks great for the Comeback City.
  You see, the moral of the story is that tax policy matters.
  Getting tax reform done right means delivering real relief. I've seen 
it work in Michigan, and I know we can do it at a national level. It's 
not hard. It's about allowing people to keep more of what is rightfully 
theirs. It's about freeing up more capital to create more jobs, 
increase wages, and compete at a global level. This is how you grow an 
economy from the ground up.
  Let's vote for our constituents today--do it for that middle-income 
family of four, or the single mother of three--and pass this bill 
today. All of us have an obligation to simplify the tax code for every 
American--with lower rates--so it's easier for hardworking people to 
file their taxes and have the peace of mind they deserve.
  It's been 31 years, and the relief can't come soon enough.

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