Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, every day, teachers across our Nation reach into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies like books, software, and pencils, without ever being reimbursed by their schools; and since 2002, teachers could at least count on a $250 above-the-line tax deduction to help defray the cost of these purchases. But at the end of last year, this tax deduction was allowed to expire, meaning that teachers are not able to claim it on their individual returns this tax season or count on it next year, as they continue to purchase supplies for their classrooms and their students. The REPAY Supplies Act, introduced by Carol Shea-Porter and cosponsored by more than 50 of our colleagues from both parties, aims to fix this problem and make the educator expense deduction permanent. Ms. Shea-Porter and I were disappointed to learn that this modest deduction was not included in the recent tax reform proposals, and we will send a letter in the coming days to ask that a hearing on the REPAY Supplies Act be held as soon as possible. I hope that my colleagues will join us in signing this letter to the Ways and Means Committee and give teachers the opportunity to testify before Congress about the impact the deduction has had on their checkbooks and on their classrooms. Mr.…”