Mr. Speaker, the Big First District of Kansas is home to more than 20,000 small businesses who employ over 80 percent of working adults in my district. These small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Their stories, defined by sacrifice, hard work, and determination, serve as a reminder of what the American Dream is all about: that anyone, from anywhere, can come to the U.S. the right way, work hard, make an honest living, and succeed. That is what it is all about. Many of the small businesses I represent are family owned and operated. As the fifth generation to grow up on my family farm and feedyard in western Kansas, I understand the immense sense of pride and gratitude that comes with growing up around a family business. It is much more than a 9 to 5; it is a personal investment of endless hours to see a dream come to life. When that dream gets off the ground, families give it their all to keep it afloat. They take pride in serving their neighbors and leaving their communities better than they found them. Our Federal policies ought to help them do just that. Since I came to Congress, I have worked nonstop to make this a reality. Every year, I have introduced legislation to preserve stepped- up basis and to stop far-left Democrats' farm killer tax. For decades, stepped-up basis has protected families from being forced to pay capital gains taxes on inherited assets.…
On the recordMay 6, 2025
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