Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to reiterate the importance of dynamic scoring as part of the tax legislative process.

Ever since 1996, when the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation began to investigate how best to apply macroeconomic analysis to tax legislation, Congressional scorekeepers have continued to hone their expertise and produce ever more sophisticated analyses of various tax reforms. All of this hard work culminated in 2015 when macroeconomic analysis, commonly known as ``dynamic scoring,'' was formally adopted in the House of Representatives for the purposes of official cost estimates for major legislation.

Ever since the formal adoption of dynamic scoring, first in the House and later in the Senate, the goal has been to produce pro-growth tax reform that was informed by the dynamic scoring process. Although a dynamic estimate was not used for official scoring purposes with respect to H.R. 1 due to constraints in the reconciliation process, macroeconomic analysis will be critical to major legislative efforts in the years ahead. It is important that members of Congress be informed by non-partisan analysis about whether legislation under consideration would shrink or grow the economy as well as how that change in growth would affect the nation's finances and, most importantly, the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Club for Growth, and FreedomWorks:

Faith and Freedom Coalition.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the 1.5 million members

and supporters of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, I urge you

to vote YES on the Conference Report to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts

and Jobs Act (TCJA). A vote for this bill is a vote for tax

cuts that Republicans have promised and America's hardworking

families desperately deserve. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will

strengthen families, grow the economy, and create jobs. To

that end, Faith & Freedom Coalition will score the vote on

H.R. 1 as vote to cut taxes for families and as a vote to

begin the process of repealing Obamacare. This vote will

appear in tens of millions of Congressional Scorecards and

voter guides distributed in over 100,000 churches.

Since Congress last passed major tax reform over thirty

years ago, the tax code has become riddled with corporate

giveaways and special-interest provisions that benefit the

politically-connected and privileged at the expense of

working families. This legislation makes the tax code simpler

and fairer, strengthens the family, increase wages, creates

jobs, and makes small, family-owned businesses more

competitive.

H.R. 1 doubles the child tax credit to $2,000, makes it

available to more families by increasing the income

eligibility thresholds, and makes up to $1,400 refundable to

lower and middle-class working families. This provision is

pro-life, pro-child, pro-family and pro-middle class.

Doubling the standard deduction protects more of the average

family's income from taxation, keeping more of their paycheck

at home rather than sending it to Washington.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also reduces the tax rate on the

hard-earned income of small, family-owned businesses--

creating the lowest tax rate on small business income since

World War II. Mom and Pop businesses are the backbone of the

American economy and the American family. Over 80% of new

jobs are created by Main Street businesses and they need a

tax rate that enables them to compete with overseas

competitors and Wall Street corporations. These small

businesses are often family affairs and are a key component

to supporting stronger, more secure families.

Finally, repealing Obamacare's individual mandate and

returning the savings to families is another tax cut for

working families. Nearly 7 million American families paid

over $3 billion because of Obamacare's individual mandate

tax, and 80 percent make less than $50,000 a year. The

Obamacare individual mandate is one of the most regressive

taxes in the nation, punishing work and savings and hurting

those least able to pay. Repealing it is a critical, if

partial, fulfillment of the larger promise to end the

disaster of Obamacare.

America's families have already waited too long for tax

cuts that let them keep their hard earned dollars and care

for their families. We must not fail them. The Tax Cuts and

Jobs Act will simplify the code so that it is fairer for

families and individuals, while also encouraging the economy

to grow, leading to the creation of more jobs and higher

wages.

For all these reasons, Faith & Freedom Coalition will

include the vote on Conference Report to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts

and Jobs Act (TCJA) in our Congressional Score and voter

guides as a key vote in the 115th Congress.

Thank you for considering the views of our millions of

members and supporters.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Dow Chemical Company, Semiconductor Industry Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Coalition for American Insurance, AT&T, and the National Roofing Contractors Association:

Retail Industry Leaders Association.

To Members of the United States Congress: The Retail

Industry Leaders Association (RILA) urges Congress to pass

the conference report to H.R. 1, the ``Tax Cuts and Jobs

Act,'' which is scheduled for floor consideration this week.

The bill provides for comprehensive tax reform, which is

critical to growing the economy and improving U.S.

international competitiveness. It accomplishes these goals by

doing, among other things: immediately reducing the corporate

tax rate from 35 to 21 percent; replacing our current

worldwide tax system with a territorial tax system; and

modifying individual tax rates, with a focus on providing a

tax cut for middle income taxpayers.

RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and

most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more

than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service

suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion

in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than

100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution

centers located both domestically and abroad.

Over 42 million jobs in the United States are either in

retail or supported by retail, making retail America's

largest private sector employer. With more than $3.8 trillion

in sales and hundreds of billions paid in wages, retail is

one of America's most powerful economic engines. In fact,

consumer spending represents two-thirds of U.S. gross

domestic product (GDP).

Despite the retail industry's prominent place in the

economy, retailers pay among the highest effective tax rates

among U.S. industries. In 2016, retailers paid an average

domestic effective tax rate of 34.6 percent. As a result,

retailers paid $32.5 billion in federal taxes, representing

11 percent of the total federal corporate income tax paid by

all corporate taxpayers. This tax treatment for the retail

sector stifles job creation, investment, and consumer savings

for a sector so important to our nation's economy.

It has been 31 years since the tax code has been

fundamentally reformed. RILA and its member companies urge

passage of the conference report to H.R. 1, ``Tax Cuts and

Jobs Act'' to finalize this once in a generation opportunity

to reform the tax code to benefit the economy and America's

workers, consumers, and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from Heritage Action, American Action Network, SBE Council, and Americans for Prosperity:

Americans for Prosperity.

Letter No. 1

AFP: Historic Tax Reform Agreement Will Unleash Economic Growth and

Prosperity

Arlington, VA.--Americans for Prosperity today cheered the

final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act released by the

tax reform conference committee. The organization commended

lawmakers for crafting a bill that remains true to the

principles of the Unified Framework and advances the ultimate

goal of unrigging the economy for hardworking Americans.

In praising the package, the group is pointing out that it

would provide tax relief for individuals at every income

bracket, make U.S. businesses significantly more competitive

by lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21

percent, and includes efforts to simplify and ease the burden

of tax compliance. In addition, the tax plan includes

provisions long championed by AFP, such as repealing

Obamacare's unpopular individual mandate.

Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips issued the

following statement: ``This final tax reform plan delivers

relief to the working class while unleashing opportunity and

growth for America's small business owners and job creators.

All year, we've been calling on Congress to go bold and focus

on making this pro-growth. We think they've done that.

Although not perfect, the House and the Senate should be

commended for their diligent work to significantly improve

our broken system, and the Trump White House deserves credit

for its relentless focus on getting tax reform done this

year.

``Lawmakers now face a historic moment--a once-in-a-

generation opportunity to overhaul our nation's broken tax

code in order to create jobs, increase wages, fuel the

economy and unleash U.S. investment, which will usher in a

new era of American innovation. We urge all members of

Congress to embrace this historic plan and fulfill their

promise to create a simpler, fairer and more competitive tax

code by sending it to the president's desk this year.''

Letter No. 2

AFP Key Vote: YES Vote on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Dear Senators: On behalf of more than 3.2 million Americans

for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I urge a YES vote

on the Senate version of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This tax

reform package will deliver a fairer, flatter, and simpler

tax code that will lead to stronger economic growth, more job

creation, and higher wages. Lawmakers should not miss this

once-in-a-generation opportunity.

We urge you to vote YES on the Senate version of The Tax

Cuts and Jobs Act. Americans for Prosperity will include this

vote in our congressional scorecard. This comprehensive tax

reform plan will bring tax relief to middle-class households

and businesses across the country. Americans would see

individual tax rates fall from the current rate of 22.5

percent to 22 percent; 25 percent to 24 percent; and 32.5

rate to 32 percent. They would also benefit from an expanded

standard deduction and repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Businesses would see the corporate tax rate fall to 20

percent permanently as well as improvements in the structure

of our punishing international tax system. Meanwhile, small

businesses--the economy's top job creators--would also see

welcome tax relief.

Americans have suffered under an unfair, complex, and

burdensome tax code which pits the least fortunate against

the well-connected for far too long. It's encouraging to see

lawmakers follow through on their commitment to the American

people to overhaul the tax code and make it work better for

everyday Americans. This vote will inform our engagement on

the grassroots level in lawmakers' districts.

We urge you to vote YES on the Senate version of The Tax

Cuts and Jobs Act. Americans for Prosperity will include this

vote in our congressional scorecard.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from Ford Motor Company, MetLife, Coalition Letter, Americans for

Tax Reform, National Taxpayers Union, and a letter signed by National Taxpayers Union, 60 Plus Association, ALEC Action, American Action Network, American Commitment, American Conservative Union, Americans for a Strong Economy, Americans for Tax Reform, Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), Campaign for Liberty, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, Center for Individual Freedom, Center for Worker Freedom, Club for Growth, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Digital Liberty, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Family Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation of Minnesota, FreedomWorks, Heritage Action for America, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Independent Women's Voice, Institute for a Policy Innovation, Invest in Education Coalition, The James Madison Institute, The John K. Maclver Institute for Public Policy, Middle Class Growth Initiative, Niskanen Center, Property Rights Alliance, Rio Grande Foundation, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, and Women for Trump:

Ford Motor Company.

As an American automaker with more than 85,000 U.S.

employees, we applaud your strong commitment to producing tax

reform that we believe will help support continued investment

in American manufacturing and the good-paying jobs it

supports.

Over the last five years, Ford has invested more than $12

billion in its U.S. factories. We have more U.S. hourly

employees and produce more vehicles in the U.S. than any

other automaker. We also continue to expand our ranks of

high-tech engineering, research and IT jobs in the U.S. and

each year, we invest nearly $7 billion in research and

development, the vast majority of which is conducted in the

United States. We believe these investments will not only

enhance our products today, but lead to the innovation that

transforms the future of transportation.

Your collective work and perseverance in driving tax reform

is critical to America's continued leadership in today's

globally competitive marketplace. We urge you to quickly pass

this proposal and seize this generational opportunity to make

tax reform a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, and the Alliance for Competitive Taxation:

U.S. Chambers of Commerce.

To The Members of the United States Congress: The U.S.

Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to complete its final step

to enact comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform legislation and

pass the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts

and Jobs Act. The Chamber will include votes related to this

legislation in our How They Voted scorecard. By passing the

conference report, Congress would unleash resources for

businesses large and small to hire new workers, expand

facilities, and purchase new equipment. Bringing about tax

reform would help ensure that these investments are made here

in the United States, and these investments would lead to

higher wages and catalyze broad economic growth.

Moreover, H.R. 1 would provide additional growth by

allowing for environmentally-sensitive oil and gas production

in an area in northern Alaska set aside by Congress for

energy exploration in 1980.

The Chamber applauds the work of the conferees for

reporting a strong pro-growth tax reform bill. The members of

the Finance and Ways and Means Committees from this and

previous congresses also deserve much credit for their work

during this multi-year effort.

Tax reform is a big engine that will power a growing

economy for years to come. Only one step remains for Congress

to keep its commitment to approving pro-growth, comprehensive

tax reform legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from the Real Estate Roundtable, National Association of Home Builders, Financial Services Roundtable, American Bankers Association, RATE Coalition, and the National Milk Producers Federation:

Real Estate Roundtable.

Tax Bill Will Spur Economic Growth: Real Estate Roundtable

Washington, DC.--Real Estate Roundtable President and Chief

Executive Officer Jeffrey DeBoer today commended

congressional policymakers on reconciling differences between

the Senate and House versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

(H.R. 1)--historic tax legislation that faces a final vote in

both chambers next week. DeBoer stated: ``Today's agreement

by Senate and House leaders on the final details of the Tax

Cuts and Jobs Act is a significant effort to encourage

capital formation and investment in all types of businesses.

New investment incentives in this bill should spur economic

growth and boost job creation throughout the United States.

We applaud the dedicated efforts of congressional lawmakers

and Administration officials who brought this legislation to

fruition.

In addition to reducing the tax rate for American

corporations to make them more globally competitive, the

legislation also encourages capital formation and investment

by ushering in a new tax regime focused on businesses

conducted in pass-through format such as partnerships and

Subchapter S corporations. These pass-through entities are

the backbone of the American economy, representing over 60

percent of all business income and creating more than 60

percent of all jobs in America over the past 25 years.''

Mr. DeBoer added:

``We anticipate that many provisions in the bill, including

the pass-through tax regime, will require the immediate focus

and attention of the Treasury Department to draft

interpretative regulations. This process will be critical in

maintaining needed guardrails to prevent abuse, but also to

make certain the new rules function as efficiently as

possible and result in robust economic activity.

The Act also ensures that commercial real estate

development and ownership continues to be taxed on an

economic basis, thereby avoiding significant market

distortions that could harm local communities and lender

portfolios.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Falcon Steel America and its employees for their efforts to aid in the recovery and relief of Montgomery County in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

In 1963, Falcon Steel America was founded as a small steel shop in Haltom City, TX. Since its creation, Falcon Steel has grown to be considered one of the most dependable suppliers of structural steel in Texas. Additionally, Falcon Steel serves as the only producer of high- voltage, steel-lattice towers in the United States.

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, carrying its wind, rains, and flooding across the state and devastating homes and families throughout the greater Houston community.

As the flood waters receded, donations of food, water, clothing, toys, and necessities came pouring into the community from across the United States. To coordinate the distribution of these supplies, Falcon Steel America partnered with Interfaith of The Woodlands and hundreds of local volunteers to organize a massive distribution center in its Conroe factory. With over 225,000 square feet of life-saving supplies, Falcon Steel's willingness to donate its facilities allowed thousands of affected residents to receive much needed assistance. This effort has now become known as one of the largest distribution efforts Montgomery County has ever witnessed.

Falcon Steel's core values of ethical behavior, excellence, and teamwork were reflected in their actions after Hurricane Harvey. Through its willingness to come to the aid of our community, Falcon Steel provided an outlet for thousands of local residents to receive life-saving assistance.

On December 21, 2017, Falcon Steel will complete the renovation of its new manufacturing facility in Conroe, TX. I am proud to join the entire Eighth Congressional District of Texas to congratulate Falcon Steel on this achievement and thank them for their continued commitment to serving our community.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Reginald Greene, a longtime and outstanding staffer for the Committee on Ways and Means, who passed away on December 11, 2017.

Known around the halls of the Ways and Means Committee as simply ``Reggie,'' for four decades he held job titles ranging from staff assistant to documents clerk. But around the committee he was really Mr. Everything. He could make out-of-print documents appear out of thin air, and whether it was manning the doors, handling special requests, or enforcing committee procedures, you name it, Reggie did it.

No one was fiercer than Reggie in protecting our committee and making sure that everyone respected its rules and procedures. Reggie never condoned sloppiness and always frowned on carelessness. He could be stern with staff--and more than a few Members--if they strayed from the rules. And he could silence disorderly conduct in our hearing room with a single look. So much so that you might think that the Ways and Means hearing room was really Reggie's hearing room--and you would be right. There he was both respected and feared by staff, lobbyists, and even Members when they entered his domain. Any photographer who stayed too long, or Member or staffer who dared to cross the dais without proper attire, or drink from a can of soda with the logo visible to the cameras--a little-known violation of our committee's rules--would soon hear about it.

But underneath his outer tough-guy demeanor, Reggie was also a friendly and warm soul with a generous laugh. He would always encourage children visiting the committee hearing room to sit in the chairman's chair for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. Reggie had so many friends on the Hill, and he created a network of relationships to get our work done. He always had a kind word or joke at the ready when you needed it. His humor was dry, and legendary. If you asked him if he needed anything, he would say ``a million bucks and a hot tub for my office.'' At times like this, if you asked him when he thought Congress would complete its work for the year, he would say ``not soon enough.''

More than anything, Reggie's career celebrated his deep love for the Ways and Means Committee, its traditions, and its enormous responsibilities to the American people. That is a love he surely inherited from his father, who preceded him on the committee staff. And like the proud grandfather he was at home, Reggie also prided himself on helping raise the next generation of staffers to share in and carry on his profound respect for the committee. Whether through a gentle tug on the elbow or a low whisper, young staffers might get that day's lesson in committee decorum, history, or tradition.

On behalf of the entire Committee on Ways and Means, I offer our sincerest condolences to the Greene family on Reggie's passing. And I thank them for sharing Reggie with us for so many years of outstanding service to the committee, its Members, and our great country.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 668, I call up the bill (H.R. 1) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018, with the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, both the House and now the Senate have taken action on legislation to reform America's Tax Code for the first time in 31 years. Unfortunately, two targeted provisions did not meet Senate rules and had to be removed.

Today, the process continues to move forward, and, with this vote, it will be the House, the people's House, that officially sends this historic legislation to President Trump's desk.

I know the American people are excited. More than that, I know they are feeling a sense of relief. They are relieved that, for the first time in years, they are going to see more money in their paychecks that they can keep.

Think about that middle-income family of four, earning $70,000 a year. These are working families, and the tax cut of more than $2,000 they will see under this bill, that $2,000 is real money. It is real money these families worked hard to earn, but, until now, they have had to send it to Washington instead of being able to use it for their own needs, whether that is paying bills, saving for the future, or putting new tires on a car.

Think about the relief our job creators and our workers will feel. For so long, Americans have barely seen any growth in their paychecks, yet they are going to their jobs every day, and they are working harder than ever.

With this bill, that hard work is finally going to be rewarded, and we are going to see the growth of jobs and paychecks like we haven't seen in years.

For our businesses, large and small, no matter if they are a small startup with just three workers or a large company with 3,000, they are finally going to have a Tax Code that works with them as they grow, innovate, and invest in our communities. They are going to see relief from complexity and high rates and the feeling they are always having to compete with one hand tied behind their back.

For all these Americans, all the hardworking men, women, and families who bring life to our communities and to our economy, I think the major source of relief is knowing that, starting in the new year, none of us has to accept this broken Tax Code and this slow-growth status in America any longer.

With the new tax system we will deliver today, things will change for the better, and they will change immediately. This new Tax Code will be simple, it will be fair, and it will be focused on the needs of the American people, not on Washington's special interests.

This new Tax Code will be modern. It will be competitive. It will create more good-paying jobs right here in our communities, not drive them overseas. Above all, this new Tax Code, America's Tax Code, will not belong to the special interests anymore. It will belong to the American people. It will help more Americans realize their own American Dream, whatever that may be. For all the Americans who struggle and who have been left behind under today's broken Tax Code, that has to be the biggest relief of all.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we hear a lot of false claims these days by opponents of tax reform. We hear that this isn't relief for the middle class, that people will see their taxes increase. But the Tax Policy Center, the most liberal economic group there is, just grudgingly admitted yesterday that 90 percent of Americans will see real tax cuts in this Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In fact, the only ones who won't are the one- tenth of 1 percent who could.

We hear today about betrayal. Well, let's talk about that.

This tax reform bill doubles the child tax credit and expands it to nearly four times as many Americans, helping them with the expensive costs of childcare. Democrats oppose helping our parents raise their children. That is betrayal.

In this tax reform bill, we increase the amount of medical expenses Americans can write off--medical expenses driven up by ObamaCare. Democrats oppose helping families write off these costs. That is betrayal.

Now we are expanding the number of Americans who can, and how much, give in charity to our churches and to their causes. Democrats oppose helping people give to the community and to the causes they believe in. That is betrayal.

In this bill, we, for the first time, allow families who are saving for their kids' future to be able to use that and transfer it to the new ABLE accounts because their child has special needs and may need help throughout their life. Democrats oppose letting families save for their disabled children's future. That is betrayal.

Then we hear over and over again how some stand for small business, our Main Street businesses. Republicans, for the first time ever, provide a 20 percent deduction for our Main Street and small businesses across America. Democrats oppose helping our Main Street businesses. That is betrayal.

For too long, we have watched our jobs move overseas. This changes. This tax cut bill brings those jobs back and, more importantly, allows our companies, when they compete and win around the world, to bring those dollars back to be reinvested in our communities, in jobs, in manufacturing, and in research. Democrats oppose bringing jobs back to America and bringing those dollars back to reinvest in our community. Mr. Speaker, that is betrayal.

At the end of the day, we have a choice. Do we give back to families, parents, small businesses, and to America the hope and opportunity of a new economy driven by what is important to them, not what is important to special interests in Washington, D.C.?

That is what this bill is all about.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, let's talk deficits. Our Democrat opponents just hate the thought that we would give Americans back what they earned.

In 2009, when President Obama lifted the national debt by $1.6 trillion--more than this tax bill--they cheered. In the next year, when President Obama raised the national debt by almost $2 trillion in 1 year, they cheered. Three more times, President Obama and Democrats raised our national debt more than $1 trillion every year. And now-- now--they oppose it.

Why?

Because that was about Washington spending your money. This is about giving it back to the American people, and now, suddenly, you object.

Two trillion dollars of deficit in 1 year.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Barr for his leadership. The gentleman is correct, Senate Democrats stripped this out. I am committed to working with the gentleman to find a permanent solution to this problem as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I say to my Democratic colleagues: The worst bill in 29 years? With ObamaCare, don't sell yourselves short.

Today, we have a choice to make. We can either stick with the status quo--we just heard it--or we can take bold action to overhaul this broken Tax Code and restore hope, opportunity, and prosperity to Americans.

Our choice is clear, and I have made mine. I will vote to send this bill to President Trump's desk to get real tax reform done for the American people for the first time in 31 years. We will deliver for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 667, I call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 1) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today, we are delivering on our tax reform promise to the American people. For the first time in over three decades, we are delivering a new Tax Code that provides more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks to Americans across the country.

With this bill, a middle-income family of four earning $73,000 a year will see a tax cut of over $2,000. Our local job creators will see the lowest tax rates in modern history so they can invest more in their workers and in their futures. And our businesses will finally have a Tax Code that helps them compete and win anywhere in the world, especially here at home.

This is our moment to make history, to make good on our promise, and to make tax reform a reality for the first time in 31 years.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes).

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam), chairman of the Tax Policy Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), the chairwoman of the Budget Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Mrs. Noem).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the majority whip of the Republican Conference.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Holding).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the majority leader of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith), the secretary of the Republican Conference.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, there is only one fundamental question today: Who gets to decide? When Americans work hard for their money, who gets to decide what you do with it? Is it you? Or is it some nameless, faceless government worker here in Washington?

When a family with young children is working feverishly to fund their kids' future, who gets to decide how they spend their money: them or Washington?

The single mom fighting every day trying to get by and give a good life to her daughter, who decrees where her money goes?

When a Main Street businessowner works late into the night and through the weekend, risking every penny they own to reach their dream, who gets that meager profit each day? Does it go to you, who earned it, exhausted at the end of a long day? Or is it grabbed by a Federal Government who doesn't even know your name except on April 15?

Our communities have watched their companies, jobs, and futures move overseas for too long. Our local businesses have been fighting other countries with one hand tied behind their back from an old, outdated Tax Code. They deserve a new Tax Code that allows them to compete and win anywhere in the world, especially here at home.

When they compete and win, who decides where that money goes?

Today, Washington says spend it overseas. Our new Tax Code says bring it home, spend it here in America to grow our jobs, our paychecks, our communities. That is why this moment is so important.

Opponents of this tax bill don't really worry about tax cuts for the rich. They worry about tax cuts for you because if you spend your money, they can't. If you have the first claim over your earnings, they no longer do. And if your dreams come before theirs, everything in Washington changes, everything.

Given a choice between the Federal Government and you, we choose you, the hardworking American taxpayers. We choose you, the only special interest that truly matters.

Americans deserve a Tax Code for a new era of American prosperity. We deliver on that promise because it is your money.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), who has devoted his life to this moment and tax reform, our Speaker of the House.

Mr. Speaker, let's pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 5 o'clock and 33 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, December 18, 2017, at noon for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Phillip Todd Stephens and his over thirteen years of dedicated service to Team Brady and the people of the Eighth Congressional District of Texas.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Todd began his life of public service as a Medical Specialist in the United States Army, which included a posting in the Demilitarized Zone of the Korean Peninsula.

Upon completing his service in the military, Todd went on to earn two Bachelor's Degrees in Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Kentucky and a Master's Degree in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University.

Soon after his graduation, Todd returned to public service and began working in the Kentucky General Assembly--first in the office of the President of the State Senate and later as a bill drafter for the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection.

In 2004, Todd relocated to Washington, D.C., where he served as a Legislative Assistant in my congressional office for two years. Dedicated to working for the people of the Eighth District, Todd and his wife, Sarah, relocated their young family to The Woodlands, TX, in 2006. Todd served as my Director of Regional Issues, handling disaster relief efforts, local transportation issues, and many additional policy concerns directly affecting our communities. In 2013, Todd began working tirelessly as the District Director of my congressional offices in Conroe and Huntsville.

Todd's steady and caring personality has guided him throughout his many years of service, and his dry humor and wit have time and again worked to encourage those around him and build relationships with the people of our community. He is an active member of Celebration Church and a volunteer with his son's Boy Scout troop--in addition to being a Texas burger and BBQ connoisseur.

Todd and Sarah, who also worked as my District Director, along with their children, Avery and Owen, are a perfect illustration of a family committed to serving their community.

On December 28, 2017, Todd will complete his final day of over thirteen years in my congressional office. While he will be sorely missed by my staff and me, I am fully confident that he will excel in his new role with The Woodlands Township. I am proud to join the entire Eighth District of Texas in thanking Todd for his years of public service and wishing him the best in the next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained to cast my vote in time. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 676.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII, and by direction of the Committee on Ways and Means, I offer a motion.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this motion to go to conference on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to advance this progrowth, profamily tax reform legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong opposition to the motion to instruct. Today, we are moving to the crucial final stage in delivering once-in-a-generation tax reform to the American people. The choice we face now is clear.

Do we want to stick with this complex, costly, unfair system that, today, caters to special interests and drives American jobs overseas?

Do we want to stick with the slow-growth Tax Code that keeps our economy in second gear and all but guarantees rising debt and deficits?

Or do we think it is time to go in a new direction? Do we think it is finally time to provide our workers, our families, and our job creators with a Tax Code that is simple, that is fair, that is built to create jobs and leapfrog America back into the lead pack around the world?

Do we think it is time to get our economy growing again, I mean, truly growing, where better jobs, bigger paychecks, and more opportunity are available to people throughout this country?

Many in Washington say they support tax reform, yet every argument we hear is about keeping taxes higher, keeping the growth of jobs and paychecks lower, and keeping more of this broken Tax Code that is so complex and so unfair to everyday Americans.

It almost seems too many in Congress are rooting against a growing and prosperous American economy. Too many who claim to be concerned about the deficit today joyfully added trillions of dollars to the national deficit when it meant Washington could spend more.

When our friends on the other side took control of the House, in the first year, they doubled the deficit. In the second year, they tripled the deficit. They then went on a roll of $1 trillion of more debt every year. In fact, they voted for a $1 trillion stimulus, absolutely unpaid for, that did nothing to grow the economy. That was when Washington could spend. But now, when it comes to letting families and our Main Street businesses spend more of their own hard-earned money, all of a sudden they say ``no.''

Come on.

If you ask my constituents in Texas, they will tell you, without a doubt, it is time to go in a new direction. It is time to be progrowth. It is time to leave this slow-growth status quo behind us for good.

Without a doubt, my constituents and so many Americans throughout our country are rooting for a healthier, stronger economy and a simpler, fairer Tax Code that allows them to keep more of their hard-earned money. That is why, right now, it is time for us to come together in a conference committee and finalize the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for the American people.

When the Ways and Means Committee started working on tax reform over 6 years ago, we knew this road would be long and difficult. We have had our share of ups and downs along the way, but we stuck with it because we knew the American people were counting on us. We know they are counting on us now.

So, with this conference committee, we are going to come together to give the American people the best of what our two bills have to offer. At every step, we are going to ask ourselves:

How can we truly deliver the Tax Code Americans deserve?

How do we drive rates lower for families?

How do we encourage more investment in job creation on Main Street?

How do we bring jobs back to America from overseas?

How can we better support parents and students and homeowners and retirees?

How can we make our economy stronger and healthier than ever?

How can we improve lives across our country?

We have all worked hard to get to this point in the process. I am proud of the bill we have delivered in the House, and I want to congratulate the Senate as well.

Right now, we are closer than ever to delivering on our tax reform promise to the American people, but some of our most important work is still ahead of us.

Now is the time for us to dig deep on behalf of the people we were sent here to serve. Now is the time for us to come together in a conference committee and unite behind one historic tax cut bill that will help Americans in all walks of life.

This truly is the moment and the opportunity that we and so many Americans have worked for and waited for and deserve. Now is the time to seize it. Working truly together, I am confident we will.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this motion to instruct that kills tax reform, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that a family of four in Michigan's Ninth District will save over $1,700 each and every year.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam), the chairman of the Tax Policy Subcommittee and a leader on the tax reform effort.

Mr. Speaker, I would note that the average family of four making $59,000 a year in the 35th District of Texas will see a tax cut of over $1,100.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed), a key leader of the Ways and Means Committee who knows what it is like to create jobs in New York.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that the average family of four in the Fifth District of California will see a tax cut of over $2,370.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice), a key leader of tax reform who has a terrific accounting and business background.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to remind the House that a family of four in Connecticut's First District will see a tax cut of $3,858 each and every year.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), a new member and a key member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would note that a family of four in Oregon's Third District will see tax savings of $2,256.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, that family of four in New Jersey's Ninth District making $90,000 a year, two workers, will see a tax cut of $2,044.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the median family of four in New York's 14th District making $63,000 a year working hard will see a tax cut of $1,251.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that that median family of four with two kids in the Seventh District of Illinois making $73,000 really working hard where every dollar counts will see a tax cut of $1,546.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that that median family of four making $74,000, blue-collar workers in the 26th District of New York, will see a tax cut of $1,562.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that the median family of four making $65,000 in Alabama's Seventh District would see a tax cut of $1,311.

I would also point out that the Congressional Budget Office doesn't score a tax reform bill. That is the Joint Committee on Taxation. That score was available to Ways and Means Committee members the day we voted on this bill and available, again, to House Members before we approved it as well.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I point out that a median family of four with two kids in Washington's First District will see a tax cut of $5,008.

I would also remind my colleagues that President Obama raised the national debt by $9 trillion in new Washington spending.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that that hardworking family of four in California's 38th District would see a tax cut of $1,870.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that that hardworking family of four in the 27th District of California will see a tax cut of $2,249.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), who is a key member of our Tax Policy Subcommittee and a businessperson himself.

Mr. Speaker, I point out that a middle class family

making $74,000, in the Fifth District of South Carolina, will see a tax cut of $1,568.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that a median, hardworking, middle class family in the Fifth District of Maryland, will see a tax cut of $4,158.

Mr. Speaker, I will remind everyone here tonight that the first year our Democrats took over the majority in the House, they doubled the deficit. The second year, they tripled the deficit. In the third year, it went above $1 trillion a year, and it stayed there until Republicans took control of the House. My friends on the other side of the aisle added $9 trillion to this deficit. But that was when Washington was spending.

Today, we want to give people back control of their money, and, all of a sudden: Whoa, wait a minute. Deficits suddenly matter?

I believe that claim is the hypocrisy in this debate.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I would point out that a hardworking middle class family in the 12th District of California will see a tax cut of $5,508.

I would point out as well that the claim that this is an attack on the middle class and received four Pinocchios is simply untrue by The Washington Post.

And while we are fact-checking, I will remind the American public that President Obama did inherit a deficit. He inherited it from a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate, and then he made it worse.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this is a clear choice. Opponents of tax reform make this a clear choice. They stand for business as usual, special interests as usual, losing our U.S. jobs overseas as usual, making it hard for young people coming out of school to find good-paying jobs as usual, and Washington having a greater claim over your earnings than you do as usual. That is what the opponents of tax reform stand for today.

Today is about no more of that. It is time to drain the swamp. It is time to drain this Tax Code. It is time for a fairer and simpler Tax Code that Americans deserve, to close loopholes and special interests and lower tax rates so hardworking Americans can keep more of what they earn.

Say ``no'' to the swamp. Say ``yes'' to a new Tax Code and a new era of American prosperity.

I urge a ``no'' on the motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.