We're looking at a 45-year high in optimism according to the NFIB's last survey.

The unemployment rate is at 3.9 percent. Wages have increased over the last year by 2.9 percent, the highest increase since 2009.

Only 13 percent of small businesses say that taxes are the number-one issue since the tax reform.

If we treat that entire insurance company as if it were a bank, we are only increasing the cost to every single policyholder.

We are looking at a 3.9 percent unemployment rate. We have a 2.9 percent increase in wages.

A third of small businesses report increased worker compensation.

We want to say thank you for the type of work that you all do over there at the Administration.

Fifty-seven percent of small business owners are hiring or trying to hire.

I favor an activities-based approach to nonbank SIFI designations and more clarity around what gets you designated and what gets you de-designated.

Congress says to seek maximum employment and stable prices, no more, no less.

We also doubled the standard deduction.

For example, Opportunity Zones, established in a measure proposed by Senator Scott, draw investment to Americans in impoverished regions of the country.

Create jobs--since the passage of the tax reform act, we have seen over 600,000 jobs created put upward pressure on wages.

In fact, they recently said that tax reductions for small businesses will increase after-tax returns on investment and boost investment by pass-through businesses.

Our goals on tax reform last year were many. One was to spur economic growth. We did that; the last couple of quarters we were significantly higher than we saw in the last decade.

We doubled the Child Tax Credit and expanded its refundability--again, another bipartisan proposal my colleagues could never seem to get passed into law.

We made sure the law creates proper incentives. We made our international tax system a territorial one, ensuring that American companies are more competitive overseas and encouraging them to bring earnings and investments back home.

Restore American competitiveness--moving from 35 percent to 21 percent provides our companies with a greater opportunity to succeed in a global economy.

Opportunity Zones, established in a measure proposed by Senator Scott, draw investment to Americans in impoverished regions of the country.

Another part that came from a bipartisan coalition of Senators--from Senator Coons to Senator Booker to myself, all supportive of the Investing in Opportunity Act, which was a part of the tax package--provided Opportunity Zones to be…

I am a big fan of the State-based regulation system for insurance.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

What I am not for is fraud. What I am not for is theft.

the regulatory burden that is placed upon really the policyholders through additional cost should be appropriate for the risk profile that those firms actually have.

I rise today to celebrate the service and achievements of an esteemed and valued member of the U.S. Senior Executive Service, Dr. Kenneth A. Bertram, who completes a 32-year career of distinguished service to our Nation on June 30, 2018…