[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 106 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               TAX REFORM

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as you may know, I was a strong supporter 
of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that passed this body and was signed into 
law last year. With every passing day, we are hearing more about the 
positive effects this law is having on the economy as a whole and about 
companies, both large and small, making investments in their employees 
and in their businesses. In identifying the positive impacts that the 
law has had on the overall economy and for individual taxpayers, it is 
sometimes forgotten that small businesses have also benefited from the 
law. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, I supported the tax law because I believed it would 
reduce taxes for the small businesses that employ millions of workers 
all across America, while allowing small business owners to invest in 
new equipment and increase economic growth. A few weeks ago, I began 
this series of speeches to bring attention to small businesses that 
have benefited from this law.
  While many news reports have focused on the impact that the new tax 
law has had on individuals and large corporations, I rise today to 
discuss how Quake Manufacturing, a small business in Fort Wayne, IN, 
has benefited from tax reform. Quake Manufacturing produces high-
quality machined parts for its customers. The company uses high-tech 
computer numerical control, CNC, machines to manufacture several types 
of metal and plastic fixtures, gauges, prototype parts, and mass-
produced parts. Quake Manufacturing employs 12 workers, has an 8,000-
square-foot facility, four CNC machining centers, and six lathes. 
Hermann Quake started the company in 1990 and has watched as the 
company has expanded into the automotive and consumer goods sectors. In 
1999, Hermann retired, and his son Paul took over day-to-day operations 
of the family business.
  Because of the tax law that was passed last year, this family-owned 
small business has already been able to invest more in its employees. 
After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law, demand for 
manufactured parts increased and business quickly picked up for the 
company. Due to this renewed economic confidence, Paul was able to give 
all of his employees a one-time $1,000 bonus and a gym membership and 
increase employee benefits by adding long-term disability, short-term 
disability, and dental insurance to their health plans. These 
investments in his employees will help him to attract and maintain 
qualified workers, which is important in an industry that prides itself 
on attention to detail. Tax reform has had a tangible impact on small 
businesses like Quake Manufacturing and their employees. Overall, the 
new law has increased small businesses' confidence, allowed businesses 
to increase employee bonuses and benefits, while also lowering taxes 
and spurring new capital investment.

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