Tax Reform

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the truth.

We heard so much dismissal of the tax cut plan before we passed it. Now that we passed it, not only did we read it beforehand, but rereading it again we are seeing the truth is working out.

As I travel around, Mr. Speaker, the Seventh District of Michigan, optimism about the new tax cuts is hard to miss.

I have people coming up to me at the grocery store, at gas stations, even in church, saying: You know, Congressman, we heard a lot of reports that this wasn't for middle class people, but I saw my paycheck in February and, it is true, I got a raise because the government is taking less out of it.

I have heard from a number of workers excited about their bonuses and pay raises and from businesses that are looking to expand their operations.

Just last week, I toured Lowe's home center in Adrian, Michigan, to visit with their team. Because of the new tax law, their employees are receiving $1,000 bonuses and expanded maternity and parental leave.

I toured Cintas' Lansing operations. The tax cut afforded their employees $1,000 bonuses, and they reported to me that day that they jumped now on a plan that they were holding off, but now they are going to build a $17 million facility to add on to their operations.

We already heard about Fiat Chrysler giving out $2,000 bonuses to all of their workers. They are also moving production of the Ram heavy-duty truck plant back from Mexico to Michigan--I wanted to reiterate that-- that is coming home and creating 2,500 new good-paying jobs.

We have also seen announcements from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, utilities in Michigan and in other States, that their customers can expect to see lower utility bills, thanks to the tax cuts. In fact, they have submitted a request to the PSC for almost $400 million in rate reductions. That is real money.

As Vice President Pence said last week when we welcomed him to the Motor City, tax reform is working for Michigan.

Here is even more good news: the benefits are just beginning to kick in.

This tax season is the last time taxpayers will have to file under the old and broken Tax Code.

Under the updated Code, individuals and families at every income level will see tax relief.

The standard deduction is nearly doubled to protect more of people's hard-earned income from taxation.

The child tax credit is expanded from $1,000 to $2,000 to help with the cost of raising kids.

With these new reforms, the typical middle-income family of four will receive a tax cut of more than $2,000.

On top of that, the law will help small businesses thrive, boost job creation here at home, and make our economy stronger and more competitive, like it ought to be, in the United States and in Michigan.

For families across Michigan, the new tax cut law means bigger paychecks and more money in their pockets, not in the Federal Government's pockets. And that is where it belongs.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity at any time to put forward truth, but, more importantly, truth that is optimistic, that builds on our people, that builds on letting them do for themselves with the resources they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I express appreciation to my colleague for holding this ``truth squad'' opportunity again tonight because people need more of that. They need more optimism that comes from truth that impacts them in a growing and positive way, and I am glad to be part of it.

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