Jason Smith: “A lot has been said today on the floor about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from my friends on the other side of the aisle.…”

“A lot has been said today on the floor about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from my friends on the other side of the aisle. They think that this bill before us will make losers of the American workers or of the American economy. The truth is the status quo--our current broken Tax Code--is causing our workers and our economy to lose. Back in southeast Missouri--I will give you an example under the current Tax Code--a machinist in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, working 40 hours a week is fearful to work harder because the more money that they make, the less that they will have percentagewise unde our current Tax Code. That is simply not right, Madam Speaker. Back in southeast Missouri, a cotton farmer in Hayti has worked for decades to build his family farm hoping to pass it on to his daughter. Yet, under the current system, his daughter would have to sell portions of the farm or take out a massive loan to continue the family operation. The status quo in our Tax Code is rigged against the American taxpayer. They can't afford an army of lawyers, accountants, and lobbyists to find all of the loopholes and the bailouts available only to a select few. The status quo are tax rates for businesses that are so high that the American companies are not able to grow, hire new workers, or be competitive with other countries around the world. The other side of the aisle was arguing to keep a broken Tax Code that is punishing hardworking taxpayers.…”