Come and Read It Report: New Year, Lower Taxes
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year to everyone in the 25th District of Texas! 2017 was an exciting and busy year, and I am proud to report how much we've accomplished as a nation. We are only half way through the 115th Congress, but here are some important highlights I want you to be aware of:
Tax Reform
We did it! Two weeks ago the House and Senate voted on, and passed, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and a few days later, President Trump signed the bill into law. Americans across the board will start noticing a difference in their paychecks as early as February of this year.
2017 will long be remembered as a time when American families and businesses were once again made a priority. For the first time in over three decades, the House passed a comprehensive tax reform bill that will replace the current law with a pro-growth and pro-family tax code. For far too long, Washington has taken from the American people with nothing to offer in return except constant financial and economic struggle. Finally, Congress has listened to your demands, and vowed to make a positive difference that will benefit all Americans. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the average middle-income family will see more of their hard-earned money back in their pockets.
Additionally, American businesses will be more competitive with other industrialized countries. We discarded the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world, and replaced it with a rate that is better aligned with the international average. Since I was elected in 2012, I have fought to bring a commonsense business owner's perspective to the halls of Congress by tirelessly pushing forward with a framework of tax reform that would jumpstart this country. As a businessman, I am proud that much of these ideas have been included in this plan, and I applaud this Administration's, and this Congress' persistent efforts to deliver much needed tax relief to the American people. You can access my full statement here.
Legislative Update
Within the last year, I've sponsored or cosponsored 141 pieces of legislation. Of that, seven pieces became law: H.R. 3298, H.R. 2519,H.R. 1616, H.J. Res. 111, H.J. Res. 41, H.J. Res. 40, and H.J. Res, 38. The remaining bills are still pending through either their committee, or are in one or both Chambers of Congress.
My bill, H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act, just passed out of the House three weeks ago. Senators Cruz and Perdue have introduced companion legislation on the Senate, and I look forward to them voting on this as quickly as possible.
Last year, as the vice chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services' Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade, I attended and participated in approximately 47 full or subcommittee hearings and markups. We had 76 bills passed by the Committee, 34 of those bills passed out of the House, and six bills were signed into law by President Trump. I am proud to be a member of one of the most productive committees in the House, and I look forward to continuing to pass legislation that benefits all Americans.
I have included some articles and releases you may find interesting located on the right side of this newsletter. It is an honor and privilege to represent the people of Texas' 25th Congressional District and as always, please reach out to me with any issues and concerns that are important to you.
In God we Trust,
Roger Williams
Member of Congress