[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 106 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5642-H5646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TAX REFORM BENEFITS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks) is 
recognized until 10 p.m. as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on the topic of this Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a number of my 
colleagues from Indiana and Ohio, the great Midwest, to celebrate the 
6-month anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law.
  Our previous tax code was written more than 30 years ago and became 
broken, outdated, and overly complicated, and desperately needed to be 
reworked so Americans could receive much-needed relief. It was failing 
to support families with the resources they need in order to properly 
plan for their futures. Our tax code left those who were struggling to 
make ends meet behind.
  But on December 22, 2017, that began to change when the President 
signed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, into law. The Tax Cuts and 
Jobs Act cut the individual tax rates for all individuals, allowing 
Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. It also slashed 
our corporate tax rate to ensure American businesses can remain 
competitive and compete on a global scale.
  H.R. 1 also included provisions to support the most important engines 
of our economy: small businesses. By allowing businesses to fully write 
off the cost of new equipment in the first year, our updated and 
revamped tax code provides small businesses more money up front to 
quickly reinvest back into improving their operations, hiring new 
workers, and increasing pay and/or bonuses of current workers.
  In 6 short months, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already working for 
those who need it most, our country's hardworking middle class families 
and workers, allowing Americans across the country, and in Indiana, to 
keep more of their income.
  For the typical family of four nationwide earning the median family 
income of $73,000, with this new law, they will now receive a tax cut 
of $2,059. In the Fifth District of Indiana--central Indiana, which I 
represent--the average

[[Page H5643]]

family of four is saving even more than that, at about $2,590, and the 
average single person is saving about $1,716 dollars.
  These savings allow people to put money aside for things like 
continued education; payments toward a new home; and, overall, provide 
relief by making the cost of living just that much more manageable.
  Additionally, more than $4 billion in bonuses have been given out to 
employees all across the country--$4 billion. Our Nation's unemployment 
has fallen to the lowest in 17 years, an unemployment rate of 3.8 
percent as of May of this year.

                              {time}  2115

  Market confidence is also high. Our economy is booming, with 63 
percent of small businesses saying they feel optimistic about the 
direction of our economy and 77 percent of manufacturers are planning 
on hiring new employees.
  This is good news, because when our economy grows, everyone benefits.
  A constituent of mine from Pendleton, who owns a restaurant, recently 
told me that instead of having to shut down for several days for 
repairs when a vital piece of his kitchen equipment broke, he was able 
to purchase a newer, more efficient model and remain open thanks to the 
new expensing provisions in the tax law.
  I also heard from a Hoosier who came to D.C. with NFIB who is now 
able to provide his employees health insurance thanks to the savings he 
has seen through the savings for small businesses resulting from the 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This critical benefit has helped him retain 
workers--he, I recall, had eight employees--and is allowing him to 
recruit even better talent to further grow his operations.
  These stories are just two of millions from across the country 
showing just how much tax reform changes people's lives for the better 
and will provide certainty and optimism for much brighter futures.
  Still more good news is to come as Americans file their taxes next 
April for the first time using the new system.
  Mr. Speaker, I am really pleased that I have several colleagues here 
both from Indiana and from Ohio who have come to share their stories 
about their constituents and the good things that are happening in 
their districts.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks). Mr. 
Banks represents Indiana's northeastern Third District and is serving 
in his first term in Congress. I thank Congressman Banks for being 
here.
  Mr. BANKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Chairwoman 
Brooks, for her attention to the positive effects of tax cuts on our 
Nation's economy, especially back home in Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, when this body was debating the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 
we were told that 3 percent growth was impossible. We were told that 
the middle class and small businesses would not see any benefits. And 
we were told that manufacturing jobs would never come back.
  Mr. Speaker, all of these so-called experts were dead wrong.
  Since December, the U.S. economy has been growing at 2.9 percent and 
the Atlanta Federal Reserve bank estimates that growth this quarter 
will exceed 4 percent.
  This is hardly the ``secular stagnation'' that so many on the left 
insisted was the inescapable future for the U.S. economy.
  The bottom line is this: the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has unleashed 
record growth by lowering taxes on America's families and businesses.
  When I am back home in northeast Indiana, I am constantly hearing 
good news as a result of tax reform.
  In Bluffton, 20/20 Plastics is increasing annual wages by $1,200 and 
looking to invest in new manufacturing facilities in 2019.
  In Fort Wayne, Quake Manufacturing is adding $1,000 bonuses and 
dental insurance for its employees.
  Hoosiers across northeast Indiana have experienced the benefits just 
from turning on their lights, as Northern Indiana Public Service 
Company requested that customers' utility rates be lowered.
  It is no secret why this is happening: Washington is taking a page 
out of Indiana's playbook.
  During my time as a State senator, I was proud to work with Governors 
Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence to significantly lower taxes on 
individuals and businesses.
  As a result, Indiana has one of the strongest economies in the 
country, with an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent and a labor force 
participation rate well above the national average.
  Unemployment claims are at a historic low, and Indiana consistently 
ranks as one of the top States for business investment and economic 
growth.
  For example, the annual report ``Rich States/Poor States'' ranks 
Indiana as having the country's third best economic outlook, while CNBC 
has consistently ranked the Hoosier state as one of the best places in 
the country to do business.
  Finally, Indiana continues to be a manufacturing powerhouse, with 
536,000 Hoosiers employed in the industry, and this number will only 
grow thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
  Monthly manufacturing job gains have more than doubled under 
Republican control, with over two-thirds of manufacturers creating new 
jobs to fill.
  Even more impressive, 86 percent of manufacturing firms plan to 
increase capital investments thanks to the tax cuts passed by 
Republicans.
  As the district with the most manufacturing workers in the country, 
this is great news for Hoosiers as companies across northeast Indiana 
are hiring more employees and increasing wages.
  Additionally, 47 percent of U.S. small businesses plan to use their 
tax savings to increase business investments.
  We know from the data that there is a 99 percent correlation between 
business investment and wages, and there is no question that the Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act has spurred business investment.
  This was the largest increase of wages since mid-2009.
  Mr. Speaker, some have said the good news has amounted to crumbs and 
have promised to undo all of the gains we have seen from tax reform.
  We owe it to the American people to make sure that that does not 
happen, but instead, we need to make these tax cuts permanent.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), who represents the Ninth Congressional 
District in southern Indiana. He is a gentleman who has done business 
for many years.
  Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for hosting 
this very important Special Order, and I am so glad that we are talking 
about the tremendous benefits that we have seen from the Tax Cuts and 
Jobs Act passed just over 6 months ago.

  During the last 6 months, we have heard a lot of impressive 
statistics about the national economy. We have heard about unemployment 
being down to 3.8 percent. We have heard about second quarter GDP being 
projected at in excess of 4 percent. We have heard about there being 
more available jobs than there are available workers in this country 
for the first time since the Labor Department has been keeping that 
statistic.
  It is really impressive what the national economy has been doing over 
the past 6 months, but what matters most to me and what matters most to 
Hoosiers back home in the Ninth District is, what it is doing for them; 
what it is doing for their small businesses; what it is doing for their 
pocketbooks; what it is doing for their families; and what it is doing 
for their communities.
  In Ellettsville, Joe said:

       Per month, my wife and I alone will receive over $200, and 
     for our family, that really helps us out. That is groceries 
     for an entire week.

  Down in New Albany, Will said:

       As a small businessowner, I am now able to invest more in 
     our company and employ more qualified people.

  These are just two stories of what I hear day in and day out when I 
am traveling about the district.
  When I go to townhalls, I hear about the tax reform. When I go to 
small businesses, I hear about the tax reform. When I go and visit 
families at their farms, I hear about tax reform's impact.
  I want to ensure that we continue to see the impressive national 
statistics, but also continue to hear the great stories about how this 
bill, how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, made a difference in individual 
Hoosiers' lives.

[[Page H5644]]

  

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
southern Indiana for sharing.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers). He is 
from central southern Ohio's 15th District.
  He is a dedicated soldier. I understand Mr. Stivers has been a long 
time in the Army National Guard, actually over 30 years, and is now a 
brigadier general in the Ohio Army National Guard. I thank him for that 
service and ask that he please share with us the stories he has been 
hearing about how it has been impacting those in the Buckeye State.
  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Indiana, 
the Chair of the House Ethics Committee, for putting together this 
Special Order so we can talk about what is going on with tax reform.
  Mr. Speaker, the numbers don't lie. Tax reform is growing our economy 
and providing more opportunities for all Americans. It has been just 
over 6 months since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law, and 
we are already seeing results.
  First and foremost, our economy is growing at nearly 4 percent, a 
remarkable number, despite the Congressional Budget Office's 
pessimistic prediction of only 1.9 percent growth.
  When I started in Congress in 2011, unemployment was 9 percent. Due 
largely to our tax reform and regulatory reform, our business community 
is now creating jobs. Unemployment has fallen to 3.8 percent, according 
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an 18-year low.
  Moreover, not only are businesses hiring, but they are reinvesting in 
their employees. They are giving Americans more money in their pocket. 
In fact, 4 million workers and counting have received bonuses and seen 
more money sent to their 401(k)s, and 90 percent of Americans have more 
money in their paychecks as a result of tax reform.
  I am seeing the benefits across my district, with companies such as 
Nationwide Insurance, R+L Carriers, eCycle, and Fifth Third Bank giving 
bonuses, pay raises, and raising contributions to retirement.
  These benefits are real and make a tangible difference for 
hardworking families in the 15th District and it has given them an 
opportunity to reinvest in their future.
  The economy is booming, and people are noticing. Consumer confidence 
is at an 18-year high. We are seeing wage growth, a pay raise for the 
American worker, for many of them for the first time in 10 years.
  We were also told that the tax bill would hurt the housing market; 
however, home prices are surging. According to the S&P, the home price 
index has increased 6.5 percent.
  The statistics and stories go on and on, but, Mr. Speaker, you just 
can't deny the numbers. Tax reform is working for the 15th District, it 
is working for the State of Ohio, and it is working for America.
  What I have heard from some of my constituents: Carolyn in Grover 
City, who is a budding entrepreneur, is using her tax cut to start a 
small business. Tamela in Amanda says that it just helps her breathe 
easier having a little extra money in her pocket, knowing that the 
government is taking a little bit smaller bite. She has got a little 
bit more money to make things balance.
  It has only been 6 months since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act took 
effect, and I look forward to seeing how Ohioans and Americans continue 
to benefit.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio 
for his comments. When he shared about people breathing easier, I know 
that a bank teller that I spoke with in Sheridan, Indiana, shared with 
me that that extra in her paycheck is allowing her to pay more for 
daycare rather than her husband having to work quite so hard at that 
second job. So it is helping her pay their daycare bill and it is 
helping them breathe a little bit easier.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. 
McMorris Rodgers). Mrs. McMorris Rodgers represents eastern 
Washington's Fifth District.
  I have the pleasure of working alongside her on the Energy and 
Commerce Committee, and we have heard about 1 million more jobs 
created, 4 million more people receiving bonuses, 90 percent of people 
with more money in their paychecks.

  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to hearing how tax cuts are impacting the 
State of Washington.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman very much 
for yielding and for hosting us this evening and bringing us together 
to talk about the positive impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, one 
part that is contributing to our booming economy.
  Last Friday was the 6-month anniversary of the passage and the 
signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law. It is the most sweeping 
tax reform in more than 3 decades, and our goal was pretty simple: more 
jobs, bigger paychecks, and fairer taxes. And as this law continues to 
be implemented, that is what we are seeing.
  Since we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we have been able to 
create more than 1 million jobs; the unemployment rate is now at 3.8 
percent, that is the lowest in 50 years, since 1969; unemployment for 
Blacks and Hispanics is at the lowest level ever on record; 
compensation increases for small business workers are at the highest 
level in 20 years; consumer confidence is close to an 18-year high; 
people are the most hopeful that they have been in 17 years about 
finding that good-paying job; and for the first time in our history, 
there are more jobs available than people that are seeking and looking 
for those jobs.
  There was a recent survey of manufacturers that found 72 percent of 
manufacturers report that they plan to increase employee wages and 
benefits; 77 percent plan to hire more workers; 86 percent say that 
they have already planned expanded investments.
  This is the economic comeback that Americans and their families have 
long waited for. With results we promised, like bigger paychecks and 
lower utility bills, because of tax reform, people are better off.
  So often policy becomes about the numbers. And these are great 
numbers and we are proud of these numbers.
  But now I would like to focus a little bit more on what tax reform 
means, focus on why it matters.

                              {time}  2130

  The why is the real people in eastern Washington, hardworking men and 
women in eastern Washington and all across this country who now have 
the opportunity for a better life, thanks to this progrowth policy.
  For weeks now, my colleagues have come to the House floor to share 
stories of small businesses that are expanding, moms and dads that can 
spend more time with their children, families taking vacations together 
for the first time, and so many more stories. Those stories are the 
same stories that I hear in eastern Washington.
  A few weeks ago, I was talking with a family in Spokane, Washington, 
and they told me that they are seeing $400 more a month in take-home 
pay. They are grateful for that extra cushion because their daughter is 
living with a disability and, given her needs, they never know what the 
expenses may be. With nearly 5,000 more dollars in their pocket this 
year, they are more confident about the future and their ability to 
care for her.
  I also met a dad who manages the Starbucks in downtown Spokane. He 
was so excited about the announcement of bigger paychecks, more take-
home pay, better benefits, because he had just had a son. He and his 
wife had just given birth 4 months earlier, and he was so hopeful about 
this future.
  When the withholding tables changed in February, I received a call in 
my office from a woman who could barely speak because she was so 
excited about what an extra $40 in her paycheck was going to mean for 
her. And I quote her: ``I just got my paycheck for the first time, and 
I am getting $47.98 more than I did in the past, which is about $1,200 
more a year. For me, they are not crumbs. It's more money to help me 
put food on the table. I'm so happy, I wanted to tell everybody, the 
whole world, that these tax cuts work.''
  So to some, these may be crumbs, but to hardworking men and women, it 
makes a difference in being able to support their families.
  I had another person contact my office thinking that their H.R. 
system had glitched when they saw $100 more in their paycheck, and he 
said: ``For

[[Page H5645]]

me this will be $2,400 a year. That's real money, to buy groceries, 
fill the car up with gas, or take the family on a weekend trip.''
  Tax reform is changing lives and, despite all the good, all these 
milestones and positive headlines, our colleagues across the aisle 
still voted ``no,'' and worse, they now are wanting to take it away.
  For working moms and dads, we doubled the child tax credit, preserved 
the adoption tax credit, expanded 529 accounts to help with the cost of 
raising children. For moms like me who are raising a child with a 
disability, I was proud to get my ABLE 2.0 provisions included so that 
now a child with disabilities can go explore work, find a job, and take 
those earnings and put them into their ABLE account.
  ABLE to Work is going to allow individuals to save more of their own 
money, maybe go get an internship or a part-time job. My ABLE Financial 
Planning Act will allow families of those with disabilities to roll 
over funds from a child's savings account to an ABLE account if their 
child becomes disabled. These provisions are going to help families who 
have children with disabilities live full and independent lives, and I 
was proud to be a part of that.
  For the millions of women who recently received a pay increase, 
including entry-level employees at Wheatland Bank in Spokane, 
Washington, they can now invest more of what they earn in their pay for 
their education, retirement, everyday expenses to travel and chase 
their dreams.
  In fact, more than 600 companies have passed down benefits from tax 
reform to their employees. For people and small-business owners in my 
district, this means real relief. Ninety percent of people are seeing 
more money in their pocket every month. For the average family of four, 
it is $2,000 a year.
  These are real stories from real people who are benefiting, and we 
are just getting started.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
Washington, and I love her message of more jobs as she just talked 
about bigger paychecks, fairer taxes. It is happening in her State and 
all across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson), who, 
prior to coming to Congress, also served our country. He retired as a 
lieutenant colonel from the United States Air Force, and I am very 
fortunate because I get to serve with him, also, on the Energy and 
Commerce Committee.
  I ask the gentleman to please share with us how the Tax Cuts and Jobs 
Act is helping eastern Ohio.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mrs. Brooks 
from Indiana, for hosting this Special Order this evening to talk about 
this very important topic, and I am really proud to join all of our 
colleagues tonight to talk about the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs 
Act. I want to focus my comments on the good news coming out of eastern 
and southeastern Ohio as a result of these historic tax reforms.
  Just last week, we celebrated the 6-month anniversary of the Tax Cuts 
and Jobs Act being signed into law. In just these few months, we have 
seen consumer, business, and manufacturing confidence at or near record 
levels, more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, and 
unemployment rates at some of the lowest levels we have seen in nearly 
two decades.
  In the Sixth District of Ohio, since the start of 2017, unemployment 
rates have dropped significantly in each of the 18 counties I 
represent. Now, we know there is still more work to do, but the trends 
are moving in a positive direction.
  Many of our friends on the other side of the aisle said the sky would 
fall when we passed this landmark legislation but, in fact, the 
opposite has happened.
  Just last week, one of my constituents from Marietta, Ohio, stopped 
by my office to tell me he is receiving an additional $80 each week in 
his paycheck due to tax reform. That is an additional $320 per month, 
or $3,840 per year. That is even more than the average of what we 
thought was going to happen for hardworking families. He said he uses 
this money to help pay his car payments, and he expressed his gratitude 
for that extra money he has in his pocket to help him make those 
payments.

  I hear these stories every day when I travel my home district in 
eastern and southeastern Ohio, and I can tell you firsthand, we are 
still seeing the benefits from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and we will 
for a long time to come.
  The results are real, and it is encouraging to see what happens when 
we refuse to accept the previous administration's slow-growth economic 
policies as some kind of new normal.
  There is no doubt: The hardworking men and women of eastern and 
southeastern Ohio are optimistic about the positive economic growth 
under our new Tax Code, but they are not the only ones. This positive 
outlook is happening all over America.
  You know, it is about time that Washington creates an environment 
where our free enterprise, market-driven system puts money into the 
American people's pocket rather than Washington standing there with its 
hand out taking money out of their pockets, and that is just what the 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio 
for sharing with us how it is impacting eastern and southeastern Ohio.
  I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson), who represents the 
Eighth Congressional District and also served his country as a United 
States Army Ranger and had been in business prior to coming here to the 
people's House.
  Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairwoman Brooks 
for putting this Special Order together and taking time to call 
attention to some good news. Good news is out there. It is hard to find 
sometimes on the news, but tax reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is all 
about good news.
  What is astonishing is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was already having 
an impact even before it became law. The hope of the cuts that were to 
come were causing our economy to grow at nearly double the rate that it 
was under the previous administration.
  And now we have seen deeds, not just words. We have seen actions 
transform the idea of tax cuts into enacted tax cuts, things that have 
transformed the expectation of 1\1/2\ percent growth, the path that had 
our economy stagnating, take-home pay stagnating, and no hope for the 
growth that our parents once knew to be part of the American future.
  Today, we are seeing 3 percent growth. We may even see more than 4 
percent growth in this quarter. The experts said this wasn't going to 
happen and, instead, what we have seen is the power of ideas, the power 
of those ideas becoming law, and now we are seeing that show up in our 
economy.
  What does that mean for families in Ohio? Hardworking families are 
getting more home take-home pay. They are creating more opportunities. 
The ability to change jobs and find a better-paying one with better 
benefits is out there because everyone I am talking to is hiring.
  This is great news for Ohio, a State that just a short time ago was 
reeling from over 400,000 jobs lost, a fleeting economy, and a State 
savings account that was raided to just 89 cents left in Ohio's 
treasury.
  Today, Ohio's manufacturers are hiring. In fact, nearly every company 
that I have met with is hiring, and their problem is they can't hire 
fast enough. They are looking for more good workers, and this is 
creating better opportunities for hardworking Ohioans and better 
opportunities for American companies. Because we didn't just cut taxes, 
we reformed taxes, and we made changes that make it so companies are 
investing in Ohio, in America again, and this is creating these jobs.
  Places like Staub Manufacturing Solutions have seen an uptick in 
sales, employment, and optimism. They have grown their team from 23 to 
37 employees over the last year, and they recently expanded by 
acquiring a new building.
  Hartzler Propeller in Troy, Ohio, is experiencing the same optimism 
and continues to grow and invest in the future of their employees and 
their investment in Ohio.
  How does this happen?

[[Page H5646]]

  The framework has to be right. It is not more government or less 
government; it is the right kind of government. It is the kind of 
government that has made America the world's land of opportunity.
  America has always attracted the best goods, services, capital, 
ideas, and people that flow freely and flourish here in America because 
we have the certainty of a good regulatory framework, not an excessive, 
burdensome regulatory framework. We have seen that burden lifted, and 
we have seen it complemented by strong tax reform, important tax cuts, 
and we have seen the result is more jobs, more than a million created 
in the 6 months since this bill became law.
  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a constructive policy for jobs, for 
prosperity, and for a promising economic future for everyone in 
America.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio 
for his comments, and I agree with him. Everyone is hiring. There are 
so many job openings right now.
  As the gentleman said, there are a million new jobs. Everyone is 
competing at a higher level, and they have to compete in order to 
retain those employees in order to keep those employees happy.
  So things are really buzzing along, and I thank the gentleman for 
being here this evening and sharing what is going on in southern Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, but as we have heard from 
Members from Indiana, Ohio, and Washington, because everyone is hiring 
and people have to compete, there are companies throughout Indiana, 
companies like First Merchants Bank, one of the first in Indiana to 
announce they were going to have an hourly wage increase and $500 bonus 
for nonsenior management; a company in my district, one of the larger 
employers, Hoosier Park Casino, all employees received a $500 bonus 
after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was announced; Fifth Third Bank, $1,000 
bonuses to over 13,000 employees, and they also raised the minimum 
wage.

  These are the types of stories that we have heard, whether it is from 
small companies or from large, national companies and companies that do 
business all across the country. They are competing for workers, and 
when they are competing for workers, the workers and the employees are 
winning because everyone is hiring and everyone is trying to compete.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for the opportunity to 
highlight the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Every Member of 
Congress has this duty to their constituents and to try to make sure 
that we promote and make sure that the benefits of historic tax reform 
have extended all across the country, as we have heard today, and have 
impacted Americans from all walks of life.
  Moving forward, we have to continue to implement these types of 
policies that will encourage economic growth, create those jobs, ensure 
that our Tax Code continues to support the policies to make sure that 
the welfare of American citizens in the 21st century is at the highest 
so that we can have the best for all Americans in the 21st century.
  I want to thank all my colleagues for taking the time to participate 
this evening, as we have gone late into the evening. I look forward to 
working for the benefit of all of our constituents all across the 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have been a part of the passage of 
this historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and I yield back the balance of my 
time

                          ____________________