[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Tax Reform

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, as I have said before, Republicans had two 
goals when it came to tax reform. First we wanted to put more money in 
the pockets of hard-working Americans right away. Second, we wanted to 
create the kind of economy that would give Americans access to economic 
security for the long term. To achieve the first goal, we cut tax rates 
across the board, nearly doubled the standard deduction, and doubled 
the child tax credit. Americans are already seeing this relief in their 
paychecks. To achieve the second goal, we reformed our Tax Code to make 
it easier for businesses to create jobs, increase wages, and expand 
opportunities for workers.
  I am proud to report that less than 5 months since the Tax Cuts and 
Jobs Act was signed into law, we are already seeing an improved playing 
field for American workers. There are a lot of things that go into 
giving a worker a secure economic future: a good job, good wages, 
opportunities to grow, good retirement benefits, and opportunities to 
achieve the education necessary for that good job or that wage hike. 
Sometimes a degree or certification can make all the difference between 
an OK job and the kind of job that brings financial security for the 
long term, but getting that degree or certification isn't always easy. 
Sometimes it can be cost-prohibitive, and sometimes it can be difficult 
to fit the degree requirements around an existing job.
  As I have said before, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already improving 
the playing field for workers and creating the kind of economic 
environment that will give more Americans access to economic security 
for the long term. Businesses are creating new and better paying jobs. 
They are increasing and raising wages, and they are expanding 
opportunities. All of these are essential elements of giving workers 
access to the careers that will give them access to long-term financial 
security. But that is not all. Businesses are also increasing benefits, 
including, in several cases, education benefits.
  Grocery store chain Kroger recently announced its Feed Your Future 
program, which will provide employees with up to $3,500 a year to put 
toward their education, whether the employee is working toward a GED or 
an advanced degree. Both full- and part-time employees will be eligible 
for the program, which will provide employees with up to $21,000 for 
their education. The company is even introducing an educational leave 
of absence, which will allow employees to take time off for approved 
studies without losing their place at the company.
  It is not just Kroger. McDonald's is accelerating increased 
investment in its Archways to Opportunity education program, thanks to 
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The program will now offer workers $2,500 a 
year toward their education costs, up from $700 a year previously. 
There is no lifetime cap on the amount an employee can receive for his 
or her education. Plus, employees can now work as few as 15 hours a 
week and still be eligible for the program, which will make it easier 
for employees to combine a job and an education.
  Then there is Boeing, which is investing $100 million in training and 
education for its employees.
  Express Scripts is investing in the workers of the future by creating 
an education fund for employees' children.
  Disney is investing $50 million in an education program for 
employees, and there are more.
  It is another way that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is giving American 
workers access to the resources they need for a secure and prosperous 
future.