[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 204 (Thursday, December 14, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8029-S8030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Tax Reform Bill

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I come here today to again speak in 
support of comprehensive tax reform. For weeks, I have worked to 
highlight the enormous benefits that our tax reform efforts will have 
for the economy. I am very excited about the point where I think we are 
now because I know this will help our middle-income families, workers, 
and businesses of all sizes.
  I think it should not be lost that the tax reform bill doubles the 
standard deduction. In my small State of West Virginia, 83 percent of 
the people living there don't itemize. They are going to use the 
standard deduction, and that is going to be doubled. It also 
significantly increases the child tax credit, which is great for 
families and great for young families with children trying to make ends 
meet.
  It will make America's businesses more competitive around the world, 
which I think will lead to higher wages and more opportunities for our 
workers.
  I encouraged my colleagues to join these efforts as the Senate 
proposal worked its way through the Senate Finance Committee and again 
as it came to the Senate floor for debate. Next week, we hope to see 
the conference committee report on the Senate floor.
  Last week, I explained why I was proud to cast my vote for this 
critical legislation. I expressed my optimism that the Senate and the 
House would come together, reconcile the differences between the two 
bills, and settle on an agreement that would provide real relief and 
real opportunity for the American people.
  Today, we are closer than ever to getting comprehensive, pro-growth 
tax reform across the finish line, and that is why I am standing here 
to explain why it is so important that we move it all the way through 
this process and pass these reforms.
  I asked you to take my word, and I have for the last several weeks 
and months, but now, today, I ask you to not simply take my word on 
this. Throughout the process, when I have been back at home in West 
Virginia, I have heard from constituents, friends, and even strangers 
who are really rooting for this effort. They are rooting for it because 
they understand what a difference it will make in their lives. Whether 
I am at a roundtable discussion or at the grocery store, so many West 
Virginians have shared with me what tax reform would mean for them and 
their families. They have encouraged me and they have encouraged us to 
get this done because they know what tax reform would do for our State 
in terms of jump-starting the economy.
  One West Virginian I recently heard from, Donald from Beckley, 
recently wrote to me on behalf of his sons and grandchildren, who he 
said will ``reap the rewards'' of the tax reform bill. He wrote:

       There are too many minimum wage jobs in West Virginia and 
     not enough higher-paying jobs for advancement. There is no 
     ladder for the young people to climb anymore.

  Donald added that he would be very surprised if the tax bill doesn't 
help solve this problem. If we don't see higher wages, which we believe 
we will, Donald said that he would be surprised. I know we are going to 
see higher wages. He said: ``I really hope that the Senate and House 
get this bill to the President's desk before Christmas so he can sign 
it.''
  This week, similar support was echoed by a number of groups and 
organizations in West Virginia. The National Federation of Independent 
Business said that both the House- and Senate-passed tax reform 
proposals ``recognize the need for small business tax relief, which 
means businesses could reinvest in their businesses and employees, 
create local jobs in rural and urban areas of West Virginia.''
  I had to kind of laugh when they said ``urban'' areas in West 
Virginia. I am not sure we truly have urban areas. We have many rural 
areas. But we have great towns in West Virginia.
  The NFIB went on to say: ``We can't afford to miss this once-in-a-
generation opportunity to help Main Street businesses grow and create 
jobs.''
  The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses 
small and large in the State, also expressed support for the tax reform 
effort this week by calling it a ``real win-win'' and noting that ``by 
making tax rates more competitive, small businesses will be able to 
reinvest in growing their operations and creating more

[[Page S8030]]

jobs, and individuals will be able to determine how best to spend their 
hard-earned money, further stimulating economic growth.'' The chamber 
also pointed out that this effort is expected to grow jobs in our State 
by roughly 5,000 new jobs. To some States, 5,000 might not sound like a 
lot, but in a State such as ours, 5,000 jobs would be welcomed and 
welcomed heartily. They also highlighted that West Virginians are 
expected to see an average reduction of nearly $2,000 in their Federal 
taxes that they pay. That is a significant amount of money for hard-
working families across our State, to be able to determine how they 
want to spend their money.
  Additionally, the State director of the West Virginia chapter of 
Americans for Prosperity recently said:

       This is a huge step for taxpayers. This is going to make 
     American businesses competitive again. It's going to put more 
     money in the pockets of West Virginians.

  Finally, our West Virginia manufacturers--we have a great 
manufacturing sector--weighed in by saying:

       Manufacturers large and small know this reform will mean 
     more jobs in America, more investment in America, and more 
     men and women making things in America. . . . Our elected 
     leaders now need to seize this opportunity, get tax reform 
     across the finish line, and send it to President Donald 
     Trump's desk.

  I couldn't agree more.
  Many of the folks I have quoted represent numerous businesses and 
numerous people who work in and for those businesses.
  To get this economy growing is incredibly important, and that is what 
we are going to do. It is time to seize this once-in-a-generation 
opportunity. It is time to get tax reform across the finish line. It is 
time to send this pro-growth legislation to President Trump's desk. 
Families, workers, and small businesses in West Virginia and across 
this country are counting on us. They are counting on us to do the 
right thing, to be big and bold, to get this economy moving. That will 
result in more jobs, higher wages, more investment, and more 
opportunity and optimism about the future of our country.
  I thank the Presiding Officer, and I look forward to voting for this 
bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.