Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman for working diligently to create the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will give a tax break to the middle class. After speaking to both Speaker Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Committee member Tom Reed, I believe that an unintended consequence of this bill would hinder middle class Americans pursuing a higher education degree in an attempt to better their lives. These consequences will affect the education of employees of universities, graduate students, and employees receiving employer-provided education benefits. Madam Speaker, under current law, higher education institutions can provide tax-free tuition waivers or reimbursement to employees, spouses, and dependents. Secondly, many universities provide graduate students, including Ph.D. candidates, with tuition relief and stipends, which they can utilize while pursuing their degree. Several of my constituents, including my niece, Sarah Schiavone, who is a Ph.D. student, would be impacted by this. Thirdly, employer-provided education incentives are currently not taxed. I offered two amendments, amendments 20 and 21, to H.R. 1 that would have kept these qualified tuition reduction benefits and currently would have provided for them to continue. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.”