Begin general debate on the g. O. P. Tax reform plan later this afternoon. Live now to the u. S. House here on cspan. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] the speaker the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by dr. Glynn stone, moberly bam activity church, lorning view, text texas. Dr. Stone thank you lord, god, you are our hope for years to come. You can see our trust in you is engraved in this very building. Before any speeches are heard and votes are cast and decisions are made, our greatness comes only from your grace. I ask you to remind each of these your servants of their special responsibility to lead in your way, to lean on your word and to listen to your voice. As they represent constituents, may they defend the defenseless, protect those in danger and promote good so all americans can reflect your image and bring glory to you and accomplish your will. Your hand has brought us to these lofty positions. So we submit this day and ourselves to you, jesus, our lord, amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and annoyances his approval. The journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from georgia, mr. Hice. Mr. Hice i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The speaker without objection, the gentleman from texas, mr. Gohmert, is recognized for one minute. Mr. Gohmert thank you, mr. Speaker. It is with great joy that i welcome dr. Glynn stone to the house of representatives today to serve as our guest chaplain. Dr. Stone serves Mobberly Baptist church in longview where he takes part in influencing people to christ. Hes husband to wife angie and together they have the joy of raising three awesome sons. Dr. Stones call to Ministry Began when he was 16 years old, serving in churches throughout the tennessee valley. Under dr. Stones influence at Mobberly Baptist, several churches have been planted across the country as well as Numerous Mission trips across the world. Apart from his pastorial services, dr. Stone has had the privilege of teaching several colleges and universities, including southwestern seminary, Dallas Baptist university. Knowing dr. Stone as a friend and as a confident is an honor and privilege. His dedication to the church of jesus christ is something to be greatly admired. Just just as the vast number of our just as the vast number of our founders did. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair will he want taint up will entertain up to 15 further one minute requests on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana rise . The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor a true servant to the people, dr. Eugene e. Williams. Hes a dedicated husband to his wife daisy, a wonderful father, grandfather, children and pastor. Sunday will be dr. Williams 59th anniversary as pastor of mouth biofuela missionary Baptist Church in louisiana. Over the cost of his 59year career, hes ministered to four other churches across louisiana which include mount sinai Baptist Church, st. Mark Missionary Church and new hope Baptist Church. In addition to his service as a pastor, he was a teacher, Community Organizer and head of the Head Start Program for 28 years. Mr. Speaker, dr. Williams is a model citizen for the people of the Fifth District of louisiana. Mr. Abraham id like to thank him for his Selfless Service to the community and for making my state a better place. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . The gentlelady is recognized for one minute. I rise to oppose the republican tax bill. Mr. Speaker, how much can the American People take . How many alternative facts will we ask them to believe . How many broken promises will we ask them to overlook. The proposed tax bill is camouflaged as a tax break for the middle class but you and i both know the only permanent tax breaks are for the richest people and corporations in america . As a matter of fact, over 36 million families will see a tax increase, and now there is a new flimflam on the table. Mrs. Demings mr. Speaker, you are well aware that republicans voted over 50 times to repeal the Affordable Care act, all attempts failed. But now a repeal of the mandate that all americans have health care has mysteriously been added to the tax bill. Is it possible that tax reform is just a ruse to repeal the Affordable Care act . Enough is enough. Mr. Speaker, i believe that the American People are paying attention, and i believe the American People will hold those accountable who vote against them. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Mrs. Demings thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from georgia rise . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize a remarkable individual from my home district, mr. Earnest walls of monroe, 93yearold world war ii veteran who was recently inducted into the georgia military Veterans Hall of fame. First, private first class walls joined the u. S. Army at the age of 18 in the midst of world war ii. Displaying incredible valor under the 22nd infantry unit, he was first to storm utah beach, the westernmost beach of the normandy invasion where they fought their way acause the killing zone without hesitation. Mr. Hice he was later wounded and captured by the germans. He spent a year as a prisoner of war. When asked about his heroic action, he said only the grace of god has helped us win the war and america came back as the most blessed and most powerful nation on earth. Due to an unfortunate clerical error, it took mr. Wells nearly 55 years to receive his p. O. W. Status and full benefits. Thankfully since then, hes been rightfully awarded the bronze star medal, purple heart, french legion of honor and prisoner of war medal. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating private wells and to extend our personal and sincere appreciation to him as well as all our men and women in uniform. We as a nation are forever grateful. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Green mr. Speaker, i rise in opposition to the tax bill. Again, we find ourselves faced with a bill that will imct evy american but my republican colleagues are usng that my republican colleues are rushing through. They wont even wait for the Congressional Budget Office to show us what cost it will be to assess what this tax bill will to do to our economy, to our children and our grandchildren. Why the hurry, mr. Speaker . Is it in hopes that americans wont notice the repeal of the estate tax, a tax that only applies to people so wealthy that entire states dont have someone affected by it in some years . Is it so that americans wont notice that this bill repeals the state and local Tax Deduction for families but not for businesses . Or is it so americans wont notice that it will tax businesses it wont tax businesses earning an income abroad but it does tax individuals working abroad . 80 of the tax cuts in this bill go to the top 1 americans. Republicans may pretend and hope the money will trickle down to the average american, but we know it wont work. Trickle down does not work. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Smith mr. Speaker, the Pew Research Center recently studied how the media covered the first 60 days of each recent administration. Not surprisingly, 62 of the Media Coverage of President Trump was negative compared to 20 for president obama and 28 for president s bush and clinton. As investor of business daily put it, they decided trump was a bad president before any of his policies had a chance to take hold, end quote. Now his policies have taken hold and improved the economy, the media still does not want President Trump to succeed. You seldom heard or read a word about our strong economic growth, the record breaking stock market, High Consumer confidence and the record high household income. The liberal media seldom highlight this news because they would have to credit President Trumps successful policies. When the liberal media give the American People the facts and present the news objectively, they will have earned our trust. Until then, they just serve as another biased source of information. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, new york state contributes 41 billion annually to the federal government in taxation. The House Republican Corporate Tax bill cut is being funded by tax increases on Middle America and on western new york. The elimination of state and local Tax Deduction will be a major hit on local taxpayers. N erie county, 80 of middle income households claimed the state and local Tax Deduction in 2016, deducting 1. 6 billion in already paid local stax taxes. The deduction in erie county was 12,866. This Corporate Tax cut sbg funded by tax hikes on Middle America and on western new yorkers and should be rejected. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend, as necessary. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. This is a historic week, one that has been 31 years in the making. In a once in a generation vote we will vote to cut taxes for the middle class and unleash the power of the American Economy. Our tax code is more than 70 pages of opaque rules and regulations that cost the americans money. In critical ways, our tax code gives explicit economic advantage to our foreign competitors. That changes with this bill. Tax cuts and jobs act puts american taxpayers and the American Economy first. The bill cuts taxes for individuals and families in every tax bracket by lowering rates, doubling the standard deduction and increasing the Child Tax Credit, hardworking American Families can keep more money in their paychecks. The average family of four earning 55,000 will see a tax cut of over 1,000. This bill will supercharge our economy by making everyone play by the same rules. It substantially reduces taxes on Small Businesses and manufacturers. This means more jobs, more money and more opportunity for American Workers. Tax reform is the single best thing we can do for our economy and for our future. I urge all colleagues to support this bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Kildee thank you, mr. Speaker. Well, just calling this tax bill a middle class tax bill does not make it so. You actually have to read the bill, and if you do you find that the vast majority of the benefits goes to the people at the very top, the wstalth americans, multinational corporations. They are the beneficiaries of this republican tax scam. Saying it benefits the middle class does not make it so. And in fact, many in the middle class, tens of millions of people in the middle class will pay more taxes so that we can do what . Give huge tax breaks to the people at the very top. And how do they pay for that . They borrow money. All these deficit hawks, all these people over here who have said over and over again that its immoral to pass debt onto our children and grandchildren will walk to the floor of this house and they will vote to send 1. 5 trillion in debt to their kids and grandkids to give corporations and the wealthiest americans a tax break. Its immoral. Its immoral. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . He house will be in order. Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, i rise today to highlight an exciting event at penn state that raises awareness about veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. The freedom 5k for ptsd is the brain child of some of penn states cadets, nicholas organized the 2016 run. And joshua stein organized this years event. Mr. Speaker, these dedicated cadets said they felt it was important to take care of the men and women who fought for our country and are still fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. The proceeds from the events support the lone survivor foundation, which provides support for the Wounded Service members, their spouses and children by empowering them with helpful information on how to address posttraumatic stress. Mild traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, military sexual trauma and care partner stress. The freedom 5k also honors the spirit of navy seal lieutenant michael murphy. A penn state alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice as part of operation red wings. Mr. Speaker, i commend these current and future Service Members for not only organizing this impactful event but for caring about their fellow military men and women. Thank you, mr. Speaker and i yield back the balance of my time. Permission to address the one minute. For the speaker pro tempore without objection. While House Democrats continue to focus on better jobs and better wages for the American People, House Republicans have put forward a fake tax reform plan. The republican taxcam will taxes on 36 million middleclass families, undermine medicare and explode the deficit. Mr. Jeffries it will saddle our children and grandchildren with more than a trillion dollars in Additional Debt simply to pay for massive tax cuts for working families, massive tax cuts for millionaires, for billionaires and special interest corporations and for the privileged few. Its all being done simply to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless. Its a ponzi scheme. Its a heatsinking missile aimed directly at middleclass families. It is a interimflam and must be defeated. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from montana seek recognition . Mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker for 110 years the lower yellowstone intake project has applied water to 58,000 acres of family farms in montana and north dakota and created 10,000 acres of Wildlife Habitat to protect the sturgon, and improvement so the fish can circumvent the diversion. The proposed construction would also protect regional ground water, the environment and agricultural communities. Unfortunately, a u. S. District judge blocked the project because as he claims it does nothing for the fish. His ruling to halt construction does nothing to help the sturgon and does nothing to help the communities. I urge the army corps of engineers to work with the work and the completion of this project is urgent to protect habitat speaksees and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from oregon seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. I rise to share a story of hugo, salem, oregon and continue daca act. His only memory of mexico is saying goodbye to his parents as a child. In high school, hugo played football and was a cadet and firefighter explorer and moved into honors classes and graduated at the top of his class and earned the privilege of delivering the commencement speech at his graduation. All of this led to the city of salem recognizing hugo as youth of the year. After leaving high school, his only job was a field hand. That is until daca. Hugo was able to enroll at the university of oregon working multiple jobs and earned his bachelors agree in economics d volunteers as a banker and literacy for families. Lets protect 800,000 Daca Recipients like hugo. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Address the to house for one minute, revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Speaker, a wise man said that in doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. The definition of public bankruptcy does not have enough public taxes to pay public debts. Mr. Olson this means that at Current National program is both insane and bankrupt. Its insane because taxpayers ay when others homes are flooded and pay again when they are flooded a second time, third time and a fourth time. G. A. O. Confirmed that the National Insurance program has created taxpayer debt, 23 billion in 2016. Three recent major hurricanes in the gulf coast doesnt help because texas had record floods when Hurricane Harvey hit. I was proud to vote for to reform the 21st century flood program. Give Christmas Present before santa claus comes to town. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does gentlelady from massachusetts seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Tomorrow the house will vote on h. R. 1, socalled tax cuts and jobs act. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Middleincome americans will receive onefifth of the promised benefit. Ms. Tsongas h. R. 1 will raise taxes on 36 million hardworking, middleclass american households and scraps benefits our families depend on like the student Loan Interest and medical expense deductions. Imagine at a time when access to Higher Education is critical to a familys economic wellbeing making it even more expensive. And this legislation was written behind closed doors in secret without democratic input and without any hearings. Mr. Speaker, a bill to overhaul the tax codes the results of which will affect every american for decades to come deserves open and transparent consideration. I urge my colleagues to Work Together to craft a tax reform bill that lifts up the middle class. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman from South Carolina is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson as we approach thanksgiving, im thankful for the change since the election in 2016 and the positive success of the president and Vice President to cut taxes to create jobs. There have been record settings on productivity. There have been 458 bills passed out of committee. 407 bills passed out of the house more than the last five administrations and 82 bills signed by the president. President trump has restored trust in america as the beacon for freedom with his strong friendship with Prime Minister netanyahu and Prime Minister abe and president macron of france. He has championed with saudi arabia with stunning tributes in warsaw and in seoul this week. President trumps success in creating jobs is clear, with the dow johns 50 new highs, Consumer Confidence is at a record high establishing 261,000 new jobs in october alone. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does rhode island seek recognition . Mr. Cicilline i ask quke to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Cicilline my republican colleagues have gone too far, their tax scam gives tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires and raises taxes on 36 million families and make deep cuts to medicare and medicaid and Infrastructure Investments and creates more incentive to ship jobs overseas and they are to target the aAffordable Care act and 13 million americans. This is not a tax reform plan, its a tax scam. Democrats and republicans should be working together to fix an economy and tax code that is rigid against working people. The American People need real tax reform that invests in middleclass families and protects medicare and medicaid and other vital investments like health care, infrastructure and education. This bill does the opposite and deserves to be defeated and the American People deserve a better deal. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Im honored to be here today to recognize three National Blue ribbon schools in my district, each year the department of education recognizes some of the top schools from across the United States. The blue ribbon award is an achievement that recognizes the work done by educators and the hard work of dedicated students. I like to congratulate ham lynn, brewster and Rochester Adams high school as being recognized as being some of the best educational institutions there is to offer. I know this personally as two of my children attend one of those schools. The teachers dont wait to generate enthusiasm for learning. Each student is empowered to take challenges to push their minds and to think of ways think of things in different ways. All of these schools are exceptional and filled with the love of learning and devoted to the preparation of students for all stages of life. All three schools serve my community. Congratulations to these outstanding schools, their selfless devotion to their students is something we can all take heart. Our children are our future and they are committed to making it a bright one. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Without objection. The gentlelady is recognized. Mr. Speaker, in a nationwide competition Rollins College had one of the highest voter turnout rates. I recognize the students and faculty for this accomplishment which reflects the schools commitment to preparing the next generation of engaged citizens. As Justice Brandeis once observed, the only title in our democracy superior to that of president is the title of citizen. Our democracy withers when students are cynical about the political process. However its strongest when our citizens are engaged and informed. Our citizens use their voice and their vote and thrives when our citizens understand when the right to vote is sacred it is only powerful when it is exercised. What this school accomplished is so important and im proud to represent Rollins College in congress. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman from maryland is recognized. I rise today to praise President Trump and my republican colleagues in the house and senate for coming together to develop the first major tax reform plan since 1986. The act we are considering is going to deliver real tax relief to middleclass families and Small Businesses. There is more work to be done. We dont settle for good enough. We can make the act even better by including repeal of obamacares individual mandate. No american should ever be forced to purchase something that they dont want. Thats not freedom. Thats not the american way. The federal government bureaucrats forced americans to purchase insurance they cant afford and dont want. Time for congress to repeal the individual forced mandate. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Takano most americans would be outraged to learn that the speaker pro tempore the house is not in order. Will members and staff take their conversations off the floor. Mr. Takano most americans would be outraged to learn that hundreds if not thousands of veterans have been deported after serving honorly in the United States military, but this is the shocking truth about our broken immigration system. These unjust deportations of veterans are still occurring. Let me cite the case of a south korean immigrant who has limbd in this country since five years old. He was deployed to iraq. Legal pemple in the event residents can qualify for citizenship if they serve on active duty. Suffering from ptsd and facing the same challenges that veterans face, kim broke the law and because he never completed the possess of becoming a citizen he currently awaits deportation. Veterans like kim deserve better. They deserve the dignity and respect. Thank you. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentlelady from North Carolina seek recognition . Ms. Foxx i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise to salute a brave dedicated nurse of North Carolina, ms. Mcneil. Recently the Fifth District of congressional experienced torrential downpours and flooding, causing Severe Damage to many residents and their property. Mrs. Mcneil scheduled for her shift at asheville, North Carolina, found her car path by floodwaters and a downed tree. Undeterred by this danger, ms. Mcneil walked up a steep hill to her father to get her to the hospital to help deliver two babies. She understood she was needed and she risked herself to get to her patients. She exemplifies the best characteristics of americans. Mr. Speaker, i know i speak for many when i say that future generations of the ash county community are blessed by mrs. Mcneils dedication to her calling. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. For what purpose does the gentlelady from nevada seek recognition . Without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Titus i rise today in opposition to the republicans tax scam that has been jammed through this chamber without normal order, without public debate and without consideration for our nations future. I represent the heart of las vegas, a city that was one of the hardest hit during the financial crisis. Many of my constituents are just beginning to recover from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and this tax bill will greatly hinder their progress. Some 20 of my constituents itemize their deductions. The vast majority of whom earn under 75,000 a year. These families will all see a tax hike if this bill becomes law because the deductions for student loans, medical expenses, sales tax and some mortgages will all disappear. The sad reality is they wont just feel the hit on april 15, tax day. Theyll feel it every single day. The deficit that this bill will create will lead to state and local governments missing out on needed federal funding, and theyll either have to slash vital programs or raise taxes at that level. And if the senate has its way, theyll cut medicare by 25 million and repeal the a. C. A. This is not a tax reform. Its a system that will rig our the speaker pro tempore the gentlelady will suspend. Ms. Titus i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . Mr. Yoder to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Yoder i rise to recognize the month of november as national alzheimers disease Awareness Month and to highlight the need for continued funding to find a cure. In 1983 when president reagan designated this month to help raise awareness for alzheimers, there were less than two million americans that suffered from this disease. Today, there are nearly 5. 4 million americans with alzheimers. Finding a cure to this disease is a smart Health Policy decision we can make and it might also be the most critical economic proposal. The cost of caring for alzheimers patients in the u. S. Was estimated to be 236 billion in 2016 which is more than 200 billion greater than the total funding for research provided by the n. I. H. For all diseases. Investments in research have led to some great news in kansas. The university of kansas announced it will participate in a trial of a new drug intended to prevent or delay alzheimers. Further, researchers are continuing to work on other preventative studies. Mr. Speaker, as we continue as we must continue to provide resources that we need to find a cure for this disease, im proud of the work being done at k. U. And across the nation. We will continue to be relentless in our fight to cure alzheimers. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of veterans of the United States armed forces who have been unceremoniously deported. In the 1990s, the Immigration Law changes eliminated judicial discretion and reclassified many lowlevel nonviolent ffenses as aggravated felonies mandating deportation. They have banished an unknown number of veterans. These were minor offenses by veterans who succumbed to the difficulties readjusting to civilian life. Mr. Vargas many are combat veterans who sustained physical wounds and Emotional Trauma in conflicts going back to the war in vietnam. This banishment effectively denies these men access to often critically needed medical care. Regardless of immigration status, all u. S. Military veterans are entitled to treatment at the department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. Yet, very few of these deported veterans are granted the necessary waivers to access the care in the United States or abroad. In fact, the most most of these veterans, the only way they are going to return is in a box dead because they do have the right to be buried in a veterans cemetery. Lets do the right thing and bring these Veterans Home so they can get the care they need. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Burgess i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. Burnl burj thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to share with you a letter that was received in the rules Committee Last night. Its a letter addressed to chairman kevin brady of the ways and Means Committee. It is from the joint committee on taxation. Mr. Burgess its along letter. I will not read all of it. Some of it is difficult to understand. But let me pick out the important points. In each case, the taxpayers total income Tax Liability is lower is lower. Heres their concluding paragraph. In its totality, the combined effect of the tax rate and the income threshold with amendments made by the bill, along with the increase in the standard deduction would not would not in and of themselves result in an increase in the amount of tax imposed on virtually any filer as a result of these charges. Translation no ones taxes go up. Not 36 million, not 3,600, not 36. According to the joint committee on taxation, that number is zero, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to get a copy of this letter in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas now seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, this retched republican tax bill threatens the health of millions. Mr. Doggett thats why republicans are rushing this sham through in record pace. They want to pass it before most americans know what has hit them. It is amazing that on this alzheimers Awareness Month they celebrate by imposing a new alzheimers tax. Families paying thousands of dollars to care for a loved one would lose the right that they have today to deduct those huge expenses. And its not just a tax on alzheimers but on any substantial health care expense. As if that werent bad enough, they pursue their fanatical zeal to destroy obamacare, and yet again would remove one of the key pillars. It would lead to denying coverage for those with preexisting conditions because their premiums will soar. It will mean millions of americans will lose their health care coverage. Protect your health. Reject this sorry republican tax bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas, again, seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. I rise today to thank all those who have served our great nation in the armed forces. On veterans day we reflected on the sacrifices these brave men and women have made to keep us safe. Yet, few americans realize that u. S. Citizenship is not required for military service and even fewer know that our nation has gone as far as deporting veterans. My colleagues and i in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus visited the deported veterans support house in tijuana, mexico, to learn more about this issue. We heard stories about their service, deportation and separation from family members. Mr. Castro ivan was born in mexico and came to the United States when he was 7 years old. He enlisted in the army after high school to, quote, to serve the only country he knew to be his home. Ivan deployed to iraq, jordan and korea and received an honorable discharge. Ultimately he was deported to mexico and had to leave his family behind including his u. S. Born daughter. Congress can and should pass legislation that brings these deported Veterans Home. I yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purposdoes the gentleman from nevada seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman from nevada is recognized for one minute. Today en mr. Speaker, i rise to remember the life of stevenburger, a loving son, steven burger, a loving son, brother. Growing up in wisconsin, steven was active in many sports. At 66, steven was a standout basketball player in high school and later played in college. Steven lived in minnesota where he worked as a Financial Advisor and was the loving father to his three children. His friends and family describe him as a charismatic, full of energy and larger than life. The type of man who breaths life into every room. He was also an av icks d fisherman and loved talking about stocks and competitive sports. Teven traveled to the route 91 Music Festival in las vegas with family and friends to celebrate his 44th birthday. I would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. Please know that the state of nevada, the whole country grieve with you. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, sir, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2h of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on november 15, 2017, at 11 34 a. M. That the Senate Passed senate 534. Signed sincerely, karen l. Haas. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas now seek recognition . Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, thank you very much. And good afternoon, sir. By the direction of the committee on rules, i call up House Resolution 619 and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 102, House Resolution 619. Resolved, that upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the house resolved, that upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the house the bill h. R. 1, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title 2 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the committee on ways and means now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of rules Committee Print 11539 shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except, one, four hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on ways and means, and two, one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Clause 5b of rule 21 shall not apply to the bill or amendments thereto. Section 2, upon passage of h. R. 1, the amendment to the title of such bill recommended by the committee on ways and means now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Section 3, on any legislative day during the period from november 17, 2017, through november 27, 2017, a, the journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved, and b, the chair may at any time declare the house adjourned to meet at a date and time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article 1 of the constitution, to be announced by the chair in declaring the adjournment. Section 4, the speaker may appoint members to perform the duties of the chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 3 of this resolution as though under lause 8a of rule 1. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is now recognized for one hour. Mr. Sessions thank you, sir. Mr. Speaker, during consideration of this resolution all time is yielded for the purpose of debate only. And i would yield the customary 30 minutes to my dear friend, judge hastings from florida, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, i want to start by saying that i would offer my thanks and admiration, collegial admiration and respect to the members of the rules committee who last night once again on an expedited basis spent time devoted to the duty that they have, not only to their party but also to the house of representatives by with on behalf of the American People. The gentlewoman, ms. Slaughter, the gentleman, mr. Hastings, the gentleman, mr. Polis, and certainly our friend from worcester, massachusetts, the gentleman, mr. Mcgovern, conducted themselves not only in the highest of spirit but they also produced what i believe was a fair argument, a product they could be proud of and each of the witnesses that came before us, including democratic members of congress and republican members of congress, provided i believe information and testimony on behalf of their ideas and i personally want to thank judge hastings for his time last night which was late into the night and for today and my admiration and respect for his collegial activity is to be respected and appreciated. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. The rule provides for consideration of h. R. 1, the tax cuts and jobs act. Last november, the American People as they spoke clearly, i believe that they stood up and demanded change about action on our economy. They demanded an increase and understanding about america lack in the g. D. P. Growth. They saw companies that continued to move overseas. They saw movement in our economy where people move from one state to another seeking better opportunities. I believe that the American People have spoken and we not only heard that but trying to make decisions now that would not only help every single area of the country by picking those businesses that might be in the city and the town and location they want to be, but by infusing them with the opportunity to stay, to stay because they can not only make a go of it but be competitive in the world market. Lowering tax rates in this country will help the middle class. It will help jobs and job creation. That is why we are here today. We are here today as a Republican Party where we are trying to work with the president of the United States, the United States senate and the house of representatives to speak clearly about not only what we stand for but our hopes and dreams tore a better opportunity for all americans tomorrow and into the future. Mr. Speaker, the tax cuts and jobs act delivers on those promises. This is a bold, progrowth bill that will overhaul our tax code, not just in my home state of texas or city of dallas, but everywhere where business wants to be, it can flourish because we are now going to be competitive. It lowers taxes on all businesses so job creators can focus not only their product and sales but can hire more people, increase paychecks and growth. And growth is actually the key to what we are talking about today. Economic growth brings opportunity, an opportunity can abound by people to not only have a job, but a career, control their own libes and make sure they can live where they want to live and make their communities stronger. Thats this republican view point of what we are trying to get at, mr. Speaker. The highest Corporate Tax rate in the industrialized world, todays broken tax code forces many businesses to move their jobs, research and headquarters overseas seeking opportunities where in a world environment of competition, that they can survive, that they can become more competitive and encourages American Companies to bring their jobs back as a result of what were doing, back to the United States. Opening up the opportunity to a Corporate Tax rate of 20 . This did he keys is fundamental to make the United States more competitive. The number one reason america is not competitive in the world is no longer because of energy costs or no longer because we have the highestpriced employees. No, sir. Its because uncle sam makes them noncompetitive which creates a higher cost as we compete around the globe. This mill modernize the international tabs code also bringing back opportunities of American Companies that want to bring their profits back home and encourage u. S. Businesses to bring foreign earnings home unleashing trillions of dollars that can come back home. It reduces tax burdens on all passthrough businesses regardless of their structure or their sector. This legislation provides tax relief, job relief and creates Capital Investments and investments that will drive growth once again, paychecks and opportunity for growth. The tax cuts and jobs act is a boost for middleincome americans who have seen this struggle and let alone their own struggles. Mr. Speaker, you will hear today how we are going to have a new tax bracket. All americans until they as individuals earn 12,000, they will not pay tax on that. That means two working people at home, 24,000 worth of income, it is intended to help the middle class of this country. H. R. 1 is about the family of four, the Small Business owner, the American People. The United States is already the greatest place in the world to live. We are proud to be americans, but we have to be competitive in the world marketplace. So, mr. Speaker, 70 of the tax benefits in this legislation go directly to the middle class, the American People want and need to learn more about this bill but how it will make america greagain. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Hastings i yield myself such time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, im very pleased that the gentleman from texas, my good friend yielded to me the customary 30 minutes for debate. Once again, my republican colleagues have decided that the best way to govern is through object few scation, math gimmicks and in a rushed and closed process and all in an obvious attempt to hide from the American People the devastating consequences the republicanled tax scam bill will have on working class and middleclass america. And just so we are all Crystal Clear on this point, who under this tax bill benefits on the backs of working and middleclass americans. Yes, folks, it is the wealthy corporations and the richest among us. The republican majority has made claims about their bill saying that because of this legislation, everyone gets a tax cut and jobs will be plentiful, that the economy will grow astro no, maamically. The white house has even said that the tax cuts would result in each household receiving an additional 5,000 to 9,000 in annual income. Mr. Speaker, it seems there isnt anything that Republican Leadership wont say to get their own members to vote for this bill. Well, mr. Speaker, they can make all the claims they want, but the actual tax experts that have analyzed this bill paint a much darker picture about the consequences of this legislation. According to one nonpartisan tax analysis, todays republican plan will result in a tax increase for 38 million middleclass americans. Not to worry though, these hardworking middle class families have to deal with the tax increase. The richest, 0. 2 of americans will get a wind fall. There is a state estate provision will allow the hires billion. Up to 67. 5 80 of the tax cuts in this legislation will go to wealthy corporations and the richest 1 . Mr. Speaker, even more astonishing, a recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicates that this republican tax bill could trigger automatic cuts to mandatory spending to the tune 136 million, including 25 million. Let that sink in. What is going to happen here, we will have a 1. 5 trillion deficit and these deficit hawks are then going to turn right back roorned and say we need to pay for these things and watch out medicare, Social Security and medicaid because thats my objective. In order to cut taxes for the ultrawealthy and corporations, my republican colleagues are not only raising taxes on the middle class but now potentially triggering a 25 billion cut to medicare. If this wasnt staggering enough, americans have to keep in mind that todays republican tax give away to Corporate America and ultrawealthy is not only on the backs of the middle class, but also future generation as this bill will explode our National Debt by an estimated 1. 5 trillion over the next 10 years. Not surprisingly, republicans are making the tired excuse that these cuts will pay for themselves. If they did, we would have the easiest job in the world, just cut taxes and then we will have more revenue to pay for the important needs of our country. That sounds like the old trickledown which never worked in the economics. Sounds that way to me and as far as economic theories go, that one was and is is a complete and total dud. Mr. Speaker, to summarize the majoritys attempt to overhaul our tax code for the first time in 30 years, they raise taxes on middleclass americans, cut taxes for the wealthiest americans and corporations and manage to explode the debt all at the same time. All this while also leading the most closed congress in history. Shutting out members of congress who represent nearly half of the American People. Hear that, america. A lot of your representatives had no opportunity to say or do anything regarding the measure that we are discussing. Mr. Speaker, let us step back and get a full view of how telling this bill is for our nation by looking at how the bill treats middleclass americans versus ultrawealthy and Corporate America. Under this republican tax scam bill, a workingclass School Teacher that buys supplies for his or her students would not be able to deduct that expense. But a corporation that buys supplies for itself, they will be able to use such a deduction. Under this republican tax bill, a middleclass homeowner would see their property Tax Deduction capped at 10,000. But a corporation would not face the same cap. Under this republican tax bill, if a worker was forced to relocate for his or her job, footnote there, including the military, because the company moved or in the case of the military, they were relocated, he or she will not be able to deduct that moving expense. But if a corporation decided to relocate, even to relocate overseas, it will be able to deduct their moving expense. Mr. Speaker, the list goes on, but we shouldnt be surprised, bad process makes for bad policy. And not since the republicans failed attempt to strip Health Care Away if millions of americans have we seen a process that is this bad. Take, for example, the last Time Congress passed major tax reform legislation in 1986 and what that process looked like, during that effort, the ways and Means Committee held a month of public hearings and took testimony from over 450 witnesses. The legislation before us now has had no, zero public hearings and testimony from no, zero expert witnesses. During the last tax reform overhaul, the ways and Means Committee spent 26 days making up the legislation, the framework. This time around, republicans spent only four days making up the legislation. The 1986 legislation framework was released a year before it was passed in the house. In contrast, the framework for this bill was released less than a month before they started todays process of jamming their final bill through the house. No hearings, no amendments made in order, and from start to finish, less than a month of actual consideration. Much like the majoritys health care processes that produced a destructive bill that would hurt working class americans, this rushed process has produced a tax bill that benefits corporations and the wealthiest americans all while managing to raise taxes on the middle class 1. 5 trillion to the deficit. Mr. Speaker, the republican majority is lurching from one bad bill to the next. And with speed. Not thoughtful policy seemingly being the only goal. It begs the question what is the rush . Matter of fact i dont even think we need a tax bill of this consequence. The economy is roaring. Unemployment is low. Interest rates are low. So whats wrong with certainly leaving the wealthy in the category that they are in . Why have my republican set an arbitrary deadline of passing a tax bill by thanksgiving . Instead of focusing on set an a thoughtful policy and getting the substance right in a bipartisan fashion. Everyone agrees that we need to do something about the tax code. Democrats have been ready to work with republicans on this effort but have been shut out of turn. Ocess at every why . The only logical conclusion is that this has nothing to do with policy and everything to do tur. Why . Has nothing to do with helping the middle class, but instead is a callus political maneuver aimed at salvaging a strong and ever failing republican stalled and ever alenda. Republican were about to end alenda. Were about to end the year with nothing having been done of consequence. Mr. Speaker, dont take my word for it. This conclusion is not based on my own opinion. My republican colleagues, some such. , have admitted as asked about the need to move on to tax reform quickly, one of my esteemed colleagues on the other side of the aisle was heard to say, and i quote him, my donors are basically saying, get it done or dont ever call me again, unquote. Such. Likewise, on the other side of the capitol, one republican has stated if the republicans fail on tax reform just as they did financial are, contributions will stop. Mr. Speaker, dont think politics should dictate our efforts to reform something as significant as the tax code. Our Guiding Light should be to help working folks get a leg up. The only way to do that is to work in a bipartisan, deliberate manner hearing from experts and the American People as they did in 1986. Not as my republican friends have done this time around, spending a mere three weeks with no hearings, no bipartisan efforts, simply to give us something done before thanksgiving. That approach only gets you what we have here before us today, a bill that in my opinion does more harm than good to middle class americans and puts our country further into debt. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Sessions i appreciate the gentlemans observations. We dont have 4 1 2 years to work through the process that he talked about. The American People want and need something done right now. I would say to the gentleman he is right, the economy is roaring and its been roaring since the day donald trump won the election of an expectation of performance. Why are we doing this now . Why at thanksgiving . Why at the end of the year . Because were going to see that American Business as it makes plans for the future, they are going to look up and say, we got a better shot at keeping jobs here. We got a better shot at being competitive here. I think whats going to happen to see this ng boom, this big opportunity thats already well under way to continue, but it is up to us to deliver to see this boom, this big opportunity that it will be one it will be those pesky republicans that will get it done. Were going to get it done, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time id like to yield most distinguished gentleman from lewisville, texas, member of the rules committee, the gentleman, dr. Michael burgess, for three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for three minutes. Party. Burgess thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman, chairman of the rules committee, for yielding. Today the house of representatives is considering tax reform for the First Time Since 1986. The last 31 years the world has a lot and it is time that we bring the tax code into the 21st century. This needed tax reform will put our country on a path to longterm economic stability and help hardworking families around the country get ahead. The tax cuts and jobs act will help American Families in important ways. First, it focuses on americans in the middle of their earning scale by doubling the standard deduction and creating a new Family Flexibility credit for nondependents. Taxpayers a lot and it is will t even more from their taxable income, reducing the need for tedious itemization. In addition, the bill repeals the alternative minimum tax. This tax was never intended to be as broad as it has become, but because it was not indexed for inflation when it was introduced, now many of us find ourselves having to calculate twice to see if were ensnared by the alternative minimum tax. Its time for this one to go away. With decreased twice to see if pockets, amilies have resulting in greater contributions to the economy. P resulting in greater contributions to the economy. The bill also alleviates some of the costs of raising children by expanding the Child Tax Credit. It preserves the adoption tax credit so parents can continue to receive additional tax relief as they open their hearts and their homes to an adopted child. This bill reduces the number of tax brackets from seven to four. With rates more money in their of zero, 12, 25, percent for most taxpayers t does preserve the 39. 6 rate of the Previous Administration for the highest earners. These reforms will help simplify he tax code and make it more competitive for hardworking American Families. I am grateful the ways and Means Committee kept the stepped up basis despite repealing the estate competitive for tax by 2024, th in basis is an important component of the of Estate Planning when people are planning for future generations. This will allow people who may experience a tragedy to continue ownership of family property without bearing excessible penalties. Mr. Speaker, im in support of the flat tax. H. R. 1040, i have introduced it every term i have been in office. I recognize this bill makes a lot of needed reforms and repeals some credits while maintaining those important to american taxpayers. Donors will stale be able to make tax exempt charitable contributions. Employers will stale still be able to contribute to 401k Retirement Savings accounts. New homeowners will be able to deduct the interest expense on a mortgage. 0,000 of and no changes are made to Social Security. I was hoping we could lower Social Security taxes. We couldnt. We certainly do not increase Social Security taxes despite what some of the fake news says. Students will continue receiving a credit through the consolidated American Opportunity tax credit. Simply put, this bill will promote growth at middle income levels, create a more favorable business environment, and continue important tax credits. I yield back to the gentleman. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Im very pleased to yield one minute to a very good friend of mine, former rules Committee Member from vermont, one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from vermon is recognized for one minute. Mr. Welch i thank the gentleman. I have a question to my colleagues, what do you have against students . This tax bill means if an tuition provides assistance, they are going to have to pay income tax on that, the student will. Students who borrow money to go to school have to pay interest on the loan. Students who want to get low Interest Rates are going to have to pay higher Interest Rates because of the elimination of the private activity bond. The second question i have is this. What do you have against democracy . This bill was written in secret. There were no public hearings on this bill. Nobody had a chance to have any input. That is why if you asked 435 members of that is why if you asked 435 members of congress do they want to raise taxes on students the answer from 435 members would be no. But you have rigged this bill so that we have literally no opportunity to offer a single amendment. That is wrong. This bill was written by and for the donor class. Lets defeat this bill and stand up for the middle class. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair and not other members of the the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, thank you very much. At this time id like to yield three minutes to the distinguished gentleman, dan new house, member of the rules committee frrks sunnyside, washington. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Newhouse i want to thank my friend, the chairman of the rules committee, from texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in strong support of this rule as well as the underlying legislation, h. R. 1. The tax cuts and jobs act. This legislation demonstrates a commitment to my constituents and all of the American People to provide real relief. Our current tax code contains over 70,000 pages of rules and provisions. Within these pages are hundreds of loopholes and carve outs that only special interests can fully understand and access. At the very core of this legislation is a matter of fairness. By passing this rule and supporting the tax cuts and jobs act, we will be making a profound reform of our tax code toward a system that is simpler, flatter, and fairer to American Families across the country. According to analysis by the tax foundation, which is an independent nonpartisan tax policy nonprofit, this would stimulate g. D. P. Growth up to 4 . Would s g. D. P. Growth up t4 . Provide more than 3 of a wage increase. In my home state of washington, its projected that almost 22,000 new jobs will be created. And a middle class family in my state is projected to gain over 3,000 in after tax income should this bill be signed into law. This means real and significant economic growth. Tens of thousands of new jobs in my state alone. And more money staying in the pocket of Central Washingtonians washingtonians. I have been disappointed in the dialogue surrounding this legislation from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The accusation this is will be a massive tax hike on the middle class are patently false. Unfortunately these claims are being made by federal officials right here in washington, d. C. , all the way to my state capital in washington state. My congressional district, just let me tell you, over 80 of the people file their taxes using the standard deduction. This bill actually doubles the standard deduction for middle families and for all americans. This allows families i represent in moses lake, and the families tri ans. Cities to save more money on their tax bill without having to jump through complicated loopholes and pore over their tax preparations for hours. However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to acknowledge that fact. This tri cities billowers individual tax rates for middle income americans and continues to maintain the highest rate of 39. 6 for the wealthiest of americans. It eliminates special interest deductions, expands the Child Tax Credit, establishes a new Family Credit for families a loved one. And it preserves the adoption tax credit. Or llows a Small Business a lo. Farmer to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment and it repeals the unfair estate tax which hurts family farms and Small Businesses. Mr. Speaker, the American People need relief. People of Central Washington need or relief. This bill provides it. I proudly rise in support of the bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Im very pleased to yield one minute to the gentleman from texas who is a member of the ways and Means Committee but happens to be a democrat. So he didnt have much input here. Hes the distinguished Ranking Member of the ways and means subcommittee on tax policy, mr. Doggett, one minute. Mr. Doggett only one minute . Mr. Hastings only one minute. Mr. Doggett one minute is longer than all of the hearings that have been held by republicans on this sham of a tax bill. So very broad in impact and so shallow in analysis. One minute . Thats more than all of the Trump Administration officials who didnt have the courage to come and face our committee and be questioned about this lousy proposal. One minute . Thats more time than all of the businesses in america and economists were given to explain the nature of these corporate giveaways. Why should a tax bill thats so broad get less time than it takes to microwave popcorn . Hayes haste does make waist. This tax plan born in the shadows and rammed through here 900 will lay waste to family budgets, lay waste to Affordable Health care, and undermine our National Debt. This tax scam must be rejected. They want it through here before the American People know what hit them, but if we speak out and remain firm in our resolve, we will defeat this sham of a bill. Mr. Sessions the gentleman participated for hours in the rules debate and i yield three minutes to the gentleman from alabama. Mr. Byrne i appreciate, mr. Chairman, your leadership. Those of us in washington are good at talking in big general statements that dont mean much to the average american. So i want to tell you what the tax cuts and jobs act will do for the families i represent back in southwest alabama. According to data from the tax filers s of the have standard deductions. This will be doubled. Just consider a family of four, they earn 77,000 a year. If that family takes the standard deduction, they will see a tax cut of 1,739 a year. Month. Es out to 150 a that may not sound like real money in washington, but in families in my district, that is important. Thats extra money for a car payment. Thats Additional Savings for a childs college. Thats money to help pay for home repairs. Thats real money. When you add in the fact we are fixing our corporate and business tax code to make it fairer and simpler, then we can truly make america boon again. President trump has called it the middle class miracle. We can bring jobs back and ways wages and get more money in the poggets of working americans. Mr. Speaker, this is what President Trump promised and what the American People sent him and us to washington to do. Now my colleagues on the other side like to say this bill helps the 1 and defend the current tax code. You know who benefits from the current tax code . The top 1 . Those who can hire lawyers and lobbyists and spend thousands of dollars a year on specialty accountings. If you want that, keep the confusing tax code that helps the well connected. We can do better than that. We can pass the tax cuts and jobs act and put more money in peoples pockets and unlock americas full potential. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings last night, i point outed to my colleague that i greatly admire from alabama that he has a number of people claiming medical expense deductions that wont be able to do so under this tax measure. 22,052 andof them is the total amount claimed by them previously was 186 million. m very pleased to yield 2 1 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague who i sit hecks to on the rules committee from colorado, mr. Polis. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Polis i rise in opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. When i was growing up, im sure like most of us, i was fortunate to be surrounded by hard working dedicated teachers who cared about me, challenged me. Throughout our Public Schools across my state there are teachers who are giving they have to help students thrive. Carolyn, a teacher, who shared with me how she spends her own personal money on school supplies. There is a federal Tax Deduction that allows teachers to get money back. But the bill before us denies carolyn and all the other teachers that deduction and eliminates the tax benefits in the names of cutting taxes. This bill rolls back a critical education tax benefit that allows employers to provide up o 5,250 of Tuition Assistance pretax. This practice encourages work rce training, Apprenticeship Training and the republican tax bill pulls the rug out from businesses and workers and discouraging apprenticeships. I was privileged to serve as the chairman of our state board of education and School Superintendent and im the Ranking Member of the early childhood, elementary and secondary education. These benefits are important to teachers and students. I offered amendments to simply restore these important tax credits for children. On a partyline vote, my amendments were denied. These damaging provisions are a small part of the overall misguided attempts at tax reform. Lets reset and begin a bipartisan discussion that values educators and kids. I oppose the rule and the underlying bill. And i suggest a no vote. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado yields back. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Sessions the work we are going to do today, that the president of the United States will sign, he is encouraging what were doing today and i would like to ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter of support from the National Federation of independent businesses, thats the voice of Small Business in america and whats called the statement of administrative policy from the executive office of the president of the United States. Mr. Speaker, the president s priorities on tax reforms are consistent and have been from day one. Tax cuts, simplifying the complicated tax code and reducing burdens, so we can create jobs and raise wages. Thats what we are going to do. I reserve my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from florida. Mr. Hastings its like old home week from the rules committee people. The next speaker is my good friend from california, the gentlewoman from, mrs. Mat sue i. I yield 1 1 2 minutes. Ms. Matsui i rise in opposition to h. R. 1. When i was home last weekend, my constituents shared how devastating this bill would be for them. A fifth grade teacher, sarah, talked about how harmful the elimination of the deduction to purchase classroom supplies will be for teachers. She said, how out of touch do you have to be to cut a deduction. A Senior Citizen spoke about how devastating the repeal of the medical expense deduction will be for him and his wife with alzheimers. How can House Republicans justify helping corporations over families in need . A father who works two jobs to support his family, spoke about how he counts on the student Loan Interest deduction to plan for his future. He said, all i ask is that Congress Keep the promise they made to us. I hope they dont break promises and hope dont make life a little bit harder on our families. How can republicans defend making the lives of middle class families like his more difficult . This bill will explode the deficit and lead to devastating cuts to medicare. I ask my republican colleagues to think about the families that will be hurt by this bill instead of prioritizing handouts to millionaires and billionaires. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Sessions im waiting for a speaker. Mr. Hastings how much time is remaining . Im pleased to yield, its old home week, another former member of the rules committee, my good friend, the gentlelady from florida. Ms. Castor i thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, i rise in opposition to the rule and the g. O. P. Tax bill, because it is some fundamentally unfair and unfair that it raises taxes on tens of millions of middleclass families like giving huge tax breaks to big corporations and superrich. And it does this also by adding 1. 5 trillion to the National Debt. The center for responsible federal budget said this is a step backwards for fiscal responsibility largely because it passes the tab on to our kids and grandkids. They estimate that that will cost about 12,000 per household, just the debt portion of it, not even to mention and heres why middleclass families get hurt. They eliminate the medical expense deduction. That is over 336,000 floridians. They eliminate the Tax Deduction that helps make college more affordable by being able to deduct the interest on student loans. They eliminate these deductions to the middle class and give the breaks to the millionaires and i urge a no vote. Mr. Sessions i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings i would like to yield to my friend from oregon, one minute, the distinguished the distinguished the gentlewoman from oregon. Ms. Bonamici i rise in opposition to this tax plan that cuts rates for wealthy corporations and millionaires and higher taxes for 38 million working families. There is a lot not to like about this bill but eliminates the student loan deduction. That will increase the burden for 12 million americans. The cost of Higher Education is already out of reach for too many. We should be making it easier, not harder for americans to access Higher Education. And on top of that, removing the state and local Tax Deduction threatens Funding Sources for Public Education and will lead cuts to americas Public School budget. Mr. Speaker, across the country, families are working hard to get ahead. We need a tax code that leads to better jobs, better wages and a Better Future for america and our children and grandchildren. This bill fails the test and we should reject it and get back to working together. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Sessions i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida. Mr. Hastings i yield to my good friend from pennsylvania, mr. Evans. He really understands this stuff. Mr. Evans im not on the rules committee or ways and Means Committee but on the agriculture committee. But its important to recognize what feeding america has expressed about this package. They have concluded that it will undermine efforts that struggle to have adequate access to food. I oppose that in the day and wage where there is so much poverty and hunger across this country. We need to face the facts that we should oppose this because it goes in the wrong direction. Lets be clear. The people this bill will affect will not have a voice. Im here to be their voice. Enough is enough. This horrible bill needs to be stopped and needs to be stopped now. I yield back. Mr. Sessions i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings i yield one minute to the distinguished the gentlewoman from from the district of columbia, a real champion and a mentor of mine, mrs. Norton. The speaker pro tempore the entlelady is recognized. S. Norton mr. Speaker, a picture is worth a thousand words and so is a graph. Follow me and follow the blue line. The tax scam works this way. For average taxpayers the blue line, thats the blue and red your taxes for individual taxpayers go down for one full year, then look what 2019. To happen at your they begin to go up. By 2020, they continue. Follow the line, to go up. They are continuing to go up and they reach a real high and steeply go up for the entire 10year period. For business tax credits, they go down, too. That means taxes go down. And then they go up. So it looks like the scam shows it looks like they are doing the same thing, but 2024 is the dividing line. Then business tax credits plummet, but business income taxes plummet, but income taxes for average americans go up. Who is paying for this tax cut . Individual tax cuts. Individual americans. Defeat this republican tax scam. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from texas continues to reserve. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield one minute to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from hode island, mr. Langevin. Langevin i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from rhode island is recognized for one minute. Mr. Langevin i rise today lang strong opposition to this House Republican tax bill that was developed in secret without a single public hearing. Despite repeated calls republicans engage in a bipartisan process with democrats. This bill was written without democratic input and with enormous giveaways to wealthy interests. Makes you wonder, doesnt it, mr. Speaker. To pay for them republicans have eliminated critical tax provisions important to the middle class such as deductions for medical expenses. The state and local taxes, student Loan Interest, and other expenses on which middle class families rely. And what republicans cant pay for they add to the nations credit card to the tune of 1. 7 rillion. Mr. Speaker, were asked to support this plan, but most americans are only given the crumbs of this tax reform pie. Mr. Speaker, i cannot in good conscience vote for this bill. We need a fair and balanced tax reform package that helps everyday rhode islanders, helps Everyday Americans to get ahead. Not just the well off and well connected. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, thank you very much. At this time id like to yield four minutes to the gentleman from allegheny county, pennsylvania. A gentleman who serves on our Financial Services committee, distinguished young member of our majority, the gentleman, mr. Rothfus. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Rothfus i rise in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. The tax cuts and jobs act were considering today is the culmination of years of work, years of listening to the concerns of Hardworking Taxpayers at home, and several elections where the people spoke out for relief from a broken special interestladen tax code. Heres the questions we need to be asking today. Are you tired of the status quo . Do you think we can do better than the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression . Do you want a healthier economy that creates the opportunities that offer you a real chance to get ahead, puts more money in your pocket, and helps you fulfill your American Dream . If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the tax cuts and jobs act is for you. As i travel across my district, i hear story after story from families with nothing left over t the end of the month who are struggling to save for loans, or pay off simply make ends meet. It doesnt have to be this way. There is a better way. We have a once in a Generation Opportunity to fix this. We can act now to put more money back on the Hardworking Taxpayers pockets, make American Businesses more competitive, and create a much healthier economy. Americans have toiled under a broken tax code filled with loopholes and special interest and carve outs for far too long. This legislation, the tax cuts and jobs act, is a giant step for Everyday Americans looking to get ahead. This is for the family of four making 59,000 a year who can save 1,100 a year in taxes. This is for the single mom making 30,000 working at night and day to support her two children who will also save more than 1,000. Our legislation doubles the standard deduction so people wont have to itemize their tax returns. It expands the Child Tax Credit from 1,000 to 1,600, and provides a 300 credit for adult dependents living at home t will create more jobs in pennsylvania and raise pennsylvania families incomes t will bring dollars back to america to be invested in American Companies. And American Workers. It will empower the people of ahead who want to get and it will lessen the power of washington, d. C. Vote for freedom. Ahead and it vote for prosperity. Vote for this rule and this bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield one minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from connecticut, my good friend, ms. Delauro. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from connecticut is recognized for one minute. I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to the republican tax scam. The biggest economic challenge of our time is that too many people who play by the rules are in jobs that do not pay them enough to live on. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs. Too many families today struggle to make ends meet. They have the rising cost of health care, of childcare, of housing, and meanwhile big corporations, millionaires, billionaires write the rules to make government work for them. And the republicans are the commomrads in arms in rigging the game against the middle class. Enough is enough. It cuts taxes for the wealthiest americans. Raises taxes on the middle class. And it increases the deficit. And worse, it encourages companies who outsource american jobs. Congress must put middle class families, jobs before corporations, that have not been loyal to their employees and to our country. Jobs, you drive wages down here at home. Let me mention the Child Tax Credit to you. The republican proposal leaves behind vulnerable families, military, rural, large families, minimum wage workers, and those with the youngest children. Do not let them get away with this scam. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentleladys time has expired. Ms. Delauro it is a tax cut for the wealthy. I oppose it. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Sessions i would like to engage in the gentleman from florida ask him how many speakers he has. I have two left. Mr. Hastings i have one more speaker at this time. While you are asking, would you give us the remaining amount of time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida has five minutes. The gentleman from texas has 10 minutes. Mr. Sessions ill go ahead and ove forward if i go. Mr. Speaker, at this time were putting the a team up, the gentleman from butler, pennsylvania, the gentleman from the ways and Means Committee, the gentleman, mr. Kelly. Five minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Kelly i thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, i stand in strong support of the rule and underlying legislation. Sometimes in order to understand whats going on and what could happen in the future you need to go to the past. Let me read from a true Irish American president something. Our true choice is not between tax reduction on the one hand and the avoidance of a larger federal deficit on the other. It is increasingly clear that no matter what party is in power, so long as our National Security needs to keep rising, an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates, will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget. Just as it will never produce enough jobs or profits. Only full employment can balance the budget. And tax reduction can pave the way to employment. The purpose of cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit but to achieve the more prosperous expanding economy with can bring us a budget surplus. I understand that theres differences of opinion on what were trying to do, but please, lets talk about the facts. Lets talk about a piece of legislation that is going to lift its a rising tide that will lift all boats. Were going to cut taxes for every american at every income level. Were going to reduce taxes by almost 1,200 for every average size middle income american family. This puts more money in the pockets of our family. I dont care how they vote or registered, they are americans. It reduces by almost 2,000 for every average size middle income family in pennsylvanias third district, 2,000 of reduction for them. It will grow our national g. D. P. By 3. 6 . It will increase average american wageby 3. 1 . In the long run, it will increase after tax incomes for american taxpayers by 4. 4 . Also want you to think about what we talk about, back home where im from, we talk about takehome pavement this is about takehome pay. In pennsylvania, pennsylvanians, republican pennsylvanians, democrat pennsylvanians, independents they are going to have about 2,700, more in their pockets after this legislation goes through. Its going to create, you want to talk about jobs, nobody spoke better about jobs than president reagan when he said, its about jobs, jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Whats good for the American Worker is good for america. This will create one million new american jobs. I want you to think about this. The United States of america, were now currently rated as the 23rd best country to do business in. The tax cuts and jobs act will change that. I want you to think about that. Guy. Hometown im a home team guy. Its hard for me to sit back and say we have allowed ourselves to fall that far in the world when people think where should i start guy. Im a home team guy. That business . E to sit back 23rd, are you kidding me . With all the assets we have been given by the lord and sit here today and have an argument over Something Else other than that . That doesnt make any sense at all. What were trying to do with our tax plan is make sure that the doesnt tes just that busines . Participate in a global economy, it dominates a global economy. It leads the way in a global commifment it makes americaneconomy. It makes American Workers stronger. It makes American Families stronger. It allows us to rebuild our military and infrastructure. It allows everything good to happen. We cannot stay with the status quo. There is so much good in this bill for every single american. I did not say every single republican. I said every single american. You can bat that one back and forth and try tmake it a political story. It is not. It is truly an american story. America has never dodged that responsibility. Let me read you one other quote. Again from an Irish American president who i hold in such great esteem. One of the greatest persons i have ever known or listened to. Let me read this to you. I do not underestimate the obstacles which the congress will face in enacting such legislation. O one will be satisfied. Everyone will have his own approach, his own bill, his own reductions. A high order of restraint and determination will be required if the possible is not to wait on the perfect. But a nation capable of martialing these qualities in any dramatic threat to our security is surely capable as a great free society of meeting a slower and more complex threat to our economic vitality. Ladies and gentlemen, this ation cannot afford can afford to reduce taxes. We can afford a temporary deficit, but what we cannot afford is to do nothing. For on the strength of our free economy rests the hope afford to reduce taxes. We can afford a of all free nations. We shall not fail that hope for free men and free nations must prosper and they must prevail. Think of who it is that were. This is americas house. Yes, this is the g. O. P. Tax plan, but it helps every single american. Its not a blue plan or a red plan. It is a red, white, and blue plan. I would just challenge you to go home next week for thanksgiving and tell people all the positives about this and say i am so sorry i couldnt have voted for that. It is time now for america to rise to the challenge. As i said earlier, we exist in a global economy. I am tired of being somebody that happened to participate when we had the opportunity to dominate. Never before in our history have we had the chance to change the future for every single american. Mr. Chairman, i thank you so much for the time. Mr. Speaker, i thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair not other members. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, ill go home this week and tell people i voted against this horrible bill. And ill wonder if the last speaker would go home and tell e 11,249 people that utilize 131 million in medical deductions that will not have that under this bill. Understanding that it could be different if they chose. Mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield one minute to a newfound riend from illinois, mr. Murphy, and hes a rising star. Krishnamoorthi. Hes a rising star. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois is recognized for one minute. Mr. Krishnamoorthi i oppose the rule and underlying bill. This is a tax increase on the middle class. Ticking tax bomb on the American People. While it claims to provide tax relief for working families in the middle class, in reality it will raise taxes on 38 million americans. And it will explode the deficit by over 1. 5 trillion. A typical family in my district in illinois would see their taxes increase by over 1,100. According to the c. B. O. , h. R. 1 is so irresponsible that it will result in an immediate 25 billion cut to medicare. Incomes are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Our constituents need responsible tax reform that strengthens the middle class and raises wages for working families. They do not need a tax increase. And this bill does just that. It increases taxes on the middle class. I urge you to reject this ticking tax bomb and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas. Mr. Sessions i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Hastings i would advise that im prepared to close. New poll out yesterday shows the American People arent falling for the republican tax scam. Only 25 approve of this plan, just 16 think it will reduce their taxes and only 24 said the republican plan will help the middle class the most. Listen to the American People, my friends. Throw this dangerous plan in the trash can where it be longs and lets Work Together on a bipartisan plan to help all americans. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, im going to offer an amendment that would prohibit any legislation from limiting or repealing the state and local Tax Deduction, which prevents millions of families being taxed twice on the same income. I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the record with extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hastings first, my republican colleagues attempted to jam an and hornt Health Care Bill through congress. They failed. After that failure, they moved o todays attempt to jam a terrible tax bill through congress for the sake of middleclass americans, i hope my american friends ultimately meet defeat once again. After this closed, and i might add, we set the record with this particular measure of 51 closed rules in this session, the most in the history of congress, the most closed rules. America, what that means is that a lot of your representatives who had good ideas, more than 100 of them that offered amendments were unable to be heard because of the close rule. This disgraceful process this republican majority has presented in this instance, a piece of legislation that skews tax cuts in favor of the ultrawealthy and rich corporations. Lets make it very clear. Welly people shouldnt be disrespected for their wealth. But i dont know any wealthy people that are knocking down my doors saying they need a few more thousand dollars but i know a lot of poor people that need money and this particular measure wouldnt allow them to get on that last running of that ladder and lift themselves up. The d the gentleman say, Fort Lauderdale boston show all those yachts and little boats fishing in lake okeechobee werent lifted by this particular measure. It throws this bill on the backs of middle and working class people and future generations. With this bill, the former deficit hawk republican majority would add 1. 5 trillion to the debt while potentially triggering 25 billion cuts in medicare and i might add, thats where they are headed. Look out medicare, Social Security and medicaid. I urge a no vote on the rule and underlying bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Sessions i thank my colleague, judge hastings, for his exemplary work and the work of his colleagues in the rules committee and my colleagues on the republican side. Mr. Speaker, our previous speaker, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mike kelly, said, in an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenue or enough jobs. Only full employment can balance the budget and tax reduction can pave the way for that. What he did not say, that is ohn f. Kennedy, november 14, 1962 in an address to the Economic Club in new york. There have been a lot of people here who have given testimony, i think testimony that they intended to sway the voters and those listening in this country that the tax code that we have works just fine. But then they spoke about the frailtyies of that and jobs going offshore and jobs and Economic Activity going somewhere else, i being from dallas, texas, hear stories about people who are coming to texas, coming to north texas, coming because of the economic climate that will allow them and their companies to have a better shot, not only being competitive but as mike kelly said to be winterers, winners in this economy at the top of the heap. What this is, my state of texas does do the things that this bill does also. It keeps taxes low. It creates opportunity, gives the job creator by the way, how many poor people create jobs . I dont know. How many of those that really have incentive create jobs . A ton of them. We are going to get young people getting out of college and veterans and seeing they can make a go of it instead of being a 95 failure rate of new business. Its a heavy bar because of rules, regulations and taxes. Were going to make it easier. The White House Council of economic advisers based their review as they provided the Economic Outlook to us of more than 100 academic papers, estimates of corporate provisions in this tax bill alone will grow our economy and not leave us in 23rd place as mike kelly said. Who wants to be in 23rd place . If you want to be in the top 25 and youre comfortable, sorry. We want to be at the top. We want to make america again and be able to say that businesses all over the United States stands a chance. And thats what this does. Council of economic advisers says between that this will row the economy between 3 and 5 . They got comfortable. Im not comfortable and the American People arent comfortable either and we are going to 700 billion to the economy. Thats the guess. Thats what republicans want to do. But its based on a lot of factors and based on hard work, america has the best most innovative workers in the world. We want to put this together with an opportunity because we have a great place to be. The United States of america. Any of our states, we have the best Energy Policies in the world. And we have the best price. We have the best workers. We have tool kits with our universities. Our industry will grow back. Reinvest in themselves. We are going to take our tax code and take 5. 6 trillion worth of tax areas and move that where it will be boost our economy. Again. Become progrowth yes, we heard it was john f. Kennedy, it was Ronald Reagan and going to be making America Great again. Mr. Speaker, for that reason i urge my colleagues to support this rule and underlying legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. And i move the previous question. The speaker pro tempore the question is on ordering the previous question on the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested, those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. Pursuant to clause 8 and clause 9 this vote will be followed by fiveminute votes on adopting the resolution if ordered and suspending the rules and passing 31. 23 [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ]