Tim Ryan: “I appreciate the opportunity to be here for a Special Order. The issues of the day in Washington, D.C., are many.…”

“I appreciate the opportunity to be here for a Special Order. The issues of the day in Washington, D.C., are many. Tonight I would like to choose to talk about what is happening with the tax reform bill that is coming before the United States Senate. We are hearing rumors that it will be here this week, maybe a possible vote on Friday. It is important for us, as we look at the first tax reform bill in 31 years, to understand that we do need changes to our Tax Code, that the Tax Code has become too complicated and too complex. It needs to be simplified. The Tax Code has become burdensome to small and medium- sized businesses. It is not always the most cooperative Tax Code for entrepreneurship or innovation. It lacks incentives for helping us in certain sectors of the economy to help us grow. {time} 1645 But the most staggering problem in the Tax Code today is that it has direct and substantial benefits for the wealthiest people in the country. I am of the mindset that we need to have a Tax Code, an economy, and public policies that are going to allow the free enterprise system to work efficiently, that will allow for growth, especially in communities that have been distressed for many decades and are looking for the private sector to come in and hire our workers. It is very important.…”