James Comer

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, when many of us were growing up learning how to use our first spare dollars or our first credit card, our parents and teachers always told us, ``Budget your money and don't spend more than you have.'' This is a simple, commonsense life lesson we are all taught at some time or another when we are growing up. It is a reality for any individual who wants to have a sustainable future. It is unfortunate, however, that the same rules do not apply for Congress, our Nation's largest and most important spender. The United States currently faces $20 trillion in debt, which will lead us to a fiscal crisis if unabated. Year after year, our mandatory spending levels increase, leaving little room for our defense, education, and other spending priorities. If we continue down this path, it is estimated that by 2040, spending for mandatory programs will make up 81 percent of our annual budget. This trajectory of runaway mandatory spending is skyrocketing our national debt. It is evident that this Congress has not taken the necessary steps to balance the Federal budget. It is time that this Congress make the tough decisions necessary to reduce the national debt and practice restrained spending. Representative Goodlatte's balanced budget amendment would require the President to submit an annual balanced budget to Congress and mandate that Congress cannot spend more money than it receives in revenue. The next steps we take to change our Federal spending behavior will impact future generations of this country. We owe it to our children and grandchildren, those who will inherit this great Nation, to address our national debt. I remain committed to reining in Federal spending and ensuring Americans' tax dollars are spent wisely, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of Representative Goodlatte's balanced budget amendment. Let's pass this commonsense measure and finally prioritize fiscal responsibility, and make smarter, more responsible Federal spending choices for the people of this Nation.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. James Mooneyhan and Mr. Steve Thurmond for their contributions to Simpson County in the First Congressional District of Kentucky. These two community leaders have not only served as ambassadors for Franklin-Simpson High School throughout their careers and collectively witnessed over 33 years of sports history, but have contributed to the economic development and well-being of their fellow citizens during their careers in public service. Off air, Steve Thurmond is the executive director of the Franklin- Simpson Chamber of Commerce, and James Mooneyhan has served as Simpson County's jailer. From state championship titles to their children's successes, their commentary continually showcased the fervent pride Simpson Countians hold for their community. The excitement and spirit resulting from the unique blend of their personalities will be extremely difficult to replace, and their retirement marks the end of an era for this storied program. Although the voices of Franklin-Simpson athletics will soon be broadcast throughout the region for the last time, I join with the entire community to thank them for the laughs and unforgettable memories they have provided over the last 25 years. I look forward to seeing these Wildcat fans on the sidelines for years to come.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I joined my colleagues from the Kentucky delegation here on the House floor to lead a moment of silence for the victims of a tragic school shooting at Marshall County High School in my district in Kentucky on January 23. Today I am proud to rise in support of the STOP School Violence Act, which I believe will be a critical step forward in preventing future school shootings like the tragedies we witnessed in Marshall County, Kentucky, and, of course, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the wake of the Marshall County shooting, I heard from the families of victims and other members of the community that their top priority was enhancing physical security, whether that means installing metal detectors, hiring school resource officers, or making other evidence-based improvements to prevent and mitigate school violence. This bill will provide resources to schools so that they can do just that while also supporting training for students, teachers, and local law enforcement to identify and prevent violence in our schools. The Marshall County community is resilient. As we continue to mourn the loss of two young lives in our community along with those in Parkland, we will also fight to protect our students, educators, and communities. I believe the STOP School Violence Act will help defend our schools from those who wish to inflict harm on others, and I urge my colleagues to support this important and bipartisan bill.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Dr. James E. Carter from my hometown of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, who passed away on February 12, 2018. For over 50 years, Dr. Jimmy served generations of families in Monroe County as their physician, earning the title of Doctor of the Year by the American Academy of Family Physicians, as well as being named one of America's Top Family Doctors. Throughout his years of service to his community, he was not only a beloved doctor, but was widely respected for being the leader of one of Kentucky's greatest political families: the Monroe County Carter family. Dr. Jimmy's father, Abe, also held countless political offices. His uncle, Tim Lee, was a U.S. Congressman. His grandfather, James Carter, and his uncle, James, Jr., held the same circuit judgeship for nearly a century. Dr. Jimmy served on the Monroe County Board of Education and as Monroe County GOP Chair for most of my life. Although Monroe County has lost one of our greatest public servants, I join with the entire community in celebrating his accomplishments and reflecting on his meaningful, compassionate presence in our life. May God continue to bless his children, Jim, Tom, Cindy, and Mary Catherine, through whom his legacy lives on.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, January 23, at 7:57 a.m., shots erupted through the commons area of Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, taking the lives of two students and wounding many others. The school is the cornerstone of life and activity, and the incomprehensible events of last week have shaken the community to its core. In the aftermath of the devastation, a vast network of spirited, compassionate students and alumni have united to support and further strengthen the tight-knit, resilient community of Marshall County. As students and faculty attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy this week, I am joined by my colleagues from the Kentucky delegation to express our gratitude for the educators and first responders who acted bravely and efficiently. We pray for the survivors who are continuing to recover from their injuries, and we remember Preston Cope and Bailey Holt, whose young lives were cut tragically short, as well as their families and friends left behind. Mr. Speaker, please rise and join me in a moment of silence to honor Preston and Bailey.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend Magistrate Ed Gorin, in the First District of Kentucky, for his decades of service to the residents of Taylor County. Ed has served his fellow citizens in many capacities throughout the years, from his membership on the local school board to spearheading local committee projects. He has always been guided by his personal motto of ``working for the community.'' Through the years, he has maintained a singular focus and worked tirelessly to better the lives of his fellow Taylor Countians by consistently searching for the most fiscally responsible solution for the greatest number of citizens--even spending money out of his own pocket for community events. During his career, he has secured numerous benefits for Taylor County, including a volunteer fire department and a recycling program which will impact the lives of those in his community for years to come. Ed Gorin has established an outstanding legacy as a revered public servant, and I join with his family and friends, as well as all those he has impacted during his career, to express our dedication and gratitude for his contributions to Taylor County. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent him and wish him well in his recovery efforts.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend, Simpson County Judge Executive Jim Henderson from the First Congressional District of Kentucky. Judge Henderson has served his community since 1998, when he was elected as the youngest county judge executive in Kentucky, and has continually devoted himself to organizations which advance the development and prosperity of Simpson County. Judge Henderson has decided to transition into a new role as deputy director of the Kentucky Association of Counties, where he will be overseeing their day-to-day operations and working with local government officials in all 120 counties throughout the Commonwealth to advocate for legislative solutions that best meet the needs of their constituencies. His previous leadership within KACo, combined with his personal and professional networks, and his impeccable record of achievement have prepared him to serve Kentucky's local officials in a direct and expanded capacity. Although he will be missed in his current role, I am grateful for his steadfast leadership and tireless contributions to Simpson County, as well as his friendship and guidance. Mr. Speaker, I join his family, friends, and all those who have benefited from his efforts throughout the years in wishing him great success in his new role as deputy director of KACo.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay special recognition to Mr. Gayron Ferguson, Jr. for his service to our troops and his remarkable leadership through The Hugs Project of Western Kentucky. Mr. Ferguson's patriotic aptitude is evident through his leadership of The Hugs Project and his over 10 years of volunteer work supporting our troops. Through this great organization, Mr. Ferguson donates his time to sending care packages to our brave men and women serving abroad. Because of Mr. Ferguson's robust leadership, more than 40,000 care packages have made their way to over 12,000 troops in the Middle East. With his helping hand and enthusiasm for giving back to others, those serving overseas can receive a little piece of home through The Hugs Project. It is individuals like Mr. Ferguson whose patriotic spirit and sense of compassion creates lasting impacts on our communities and ultimately create a better world through service and consideration of others, especially our troops. I congratulate Mr. Ferguson on his years of volunteerism through The Hugs Project and the joy he has brought over the years to countless men and women serving abroad. On behalf of the First District of Kentucky, I am honored to recognize Mr. Gayron Ferguson as an outstanding leader in service to our troops and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Darren Luttrell from Ohio County, in the First District of Kentucky. Darren was named the 2017 Farmer of the Year by the Kentucky Farm Bureau at their 98th annual meeting held in Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout an extensive interview process, Darren's steadfast commitment to agricultural modernization, education, and community involvement shone through every facet of his career and personal life. During his decades of experience in farm management and agricultural technology sales, Darren has not only doubled the size of his family farming operations, but has been an outstanding leader in the Ohio County Farm Bureau and his local chamber of commerce. Known to the students as Farmer Luttrell, he has inspired the next generation of agricultural leaders through his involvement with local schools. I am thankful for Darren's advocacy for Kentucky agriculture, and I join Kentucky Farm Bureau and all those Darren has served throughout his career in wishing him the best of luck as he competes at the Swisher Sweets-Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition in Georgia in 2018.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Sue Stivers of Columbia in the First District of Kentucky. Heralded as the ``matriarch of Adair County,'' Sue has been an outstanding contributor to the livability and prosperity of her hometown. Her extensive involvement in working to better her fellow citizens' lives through her decades of experience with the Cooperative Extension Service is a testament to her steadfast dedication to a life of serving others. She has not only helped local businesses to thrive during her tenure as executive director of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce, but has also been extensively involved in one of the main components of life in Columbia, Kentucky: Lindsey Wilson College. An honorary alumnus and a long-time member of the board of trustees, Sue has continually pursued means of giving back to her community and, as a result of her positions, has had an influence on individuals from across the Commonwealth, country, and globe. I am honored to recognize Sue for her tireless service as she has continually made Columbia and Adair County ``a great place to call home.''

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, extending the probationary period is not a new idea. Federal manager groups have advocated for an extended probationary period for more than a decade. The Government Accountability Office completed a study on the probationary period in February of 2015. In that study, chief human capital officers told GAO a longer probationary period could help supervisors make a performance assessment for those occupations that are particularly complex or difficult to assess. GAO also recommended considering, ``extending the supervisory probationary period beyond 1 year to include at least 1 full employee appraisal cycle.'' As far back as 2005, the Merit Systems Protection Board completed a study and recommended longer probationary periods when an agency deems it necessary to fully evaluate a probationer. It is not necessary to wait for more studies on this issue. This amendment strikes the entire bill, meaning the current probationary period would remain the same and the problems that GAO and others have identified would persist. This amendment undermines the entire purpose of the bill, which is to allow managers' employees more time to conduct a fair and complete assessment of probationary Federal employees. Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment does not create an exception for alumni of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other national service programs. It puts them at a disadvantage. They would have less time than other new hires to prove themselves before managers make a decision whether to keep them or let them go. This could mean fewer Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other national service alumni are retained at the end of the probationary period. Under the current 1-year system, supervisors often do not have enough time to determine whether a potential employee is a good fit for the job. Managers tend to err on the side of releasing an employee who is on the fence at the end of a probationary period. New hires to the Federal Government deserve ample time to demonstrate they are able to perform all critical aspects of the job. H.R. 4182 gives them more time. This amendment would actually put certain groups at a disadvantage in comparison to the rest of the Federal workforce. Alumni of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other programs would have 1 year to demonstrate the skills and core competencies required for the Federal job they are seeking. Their colleagues would have 2 years. The spirit of this amendment is admirable, but the unintended consequence of adopting it will be that the very people the amendment is meant to benefit would be at a disadvantage. The probationary period is not a punishment. It is an extension of the hiring process and a tool to help ensure a qualified civil service. This amendment would create additional classes of Federal employees and unnecessarily add complexity to an already complex system. Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I think it is important to define what the probationary period is and what it is not. According to the MSPB, the probationary period is the final step in the employee screening process when an individual must demonstrate ``why it is in the public interest for the government to finalize an appointment to the civil service.'' This is not a punitive measure. It is an opportunity for a prospective employee to prove they are qualified to serve the American people through a position in the civil service. These are critically important jobs and we need the best and brightest to fill them. A longer probationary period gives all new hires time to complete their training, learn on the job, and demonstrate that they can perform the role they were hired to do. This is good for our government, good for Federal employees, and good for the American people. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. In the letter, the coalition members write that they have ``advocated for an extended probationary period for over a decade,'' and that this legislation will allow employees sufficient time on the job to demonstrate their abilities as well as allow for proper assessment. The individuals they represent see the difficulties associated with the current system in their day-to-day lives. They understand the problems associated with the arbitrary nature of the current 1-year probationary period. The EQUALS Act addresses these problems and moves toward a system better suited for the modern workforce. The bill will extend the probationary period for new hires in the competitive service and initial appointments for managers to 2 years after the completion of formal training or licensure. The concept of a 2-year probationary period is not new. Congress extended the probationary period for new hires at the Department of Defense to 2 years in 2015. This bill brings the rest of the government in line with the Department of Defense standards. The EQUALS Act also recognizes the variety of positions and training requirements throughout the Federal Government. The EQUALS Act requires the 2-year period to begin upon the conclusion of the formal training or licensure process. This is important, because under current law, time spent in training counts against the probationary period. This means that a Federal job with long training, by the time a probationary employee completes the training, the supervisor often has little or no time to evaluate the employee's performance. For example, training for new hires at the Internal Revenue Service takes 1 year. By the time a new IRS employee completes training, the manager has to make a decision whether to keep the employee without having seen the employee do the job. As Ms. Johnson testified before Congress: ``New employees must often master broad and complex policies and procedures to meet their agencies' missions, necessitating several months of formal training followed by long periods of on-the-job instruction. In occupations where training takes substantial time, supervisors may only have a few months of work to judge employees' performance.'' According to data from the Office of Personnel Management, most formal training programs last less than 1 month. For those positions, the inclusion of formal training in the probationary period does not do any harm. However, for those positions that have long training periods, the EQUALS Act will make a big difference. The EQUALS Act also helps ensure managers are doing their jobs. Under the bill, agencies must notify supervisors prior to the completion of a probationary period so that the supervisor is reminded to make a decision about a probationary employee. The bill also requires agencies to certify that an employee has successfully completed a probationary period and to provide justification for that decision. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I want to make sure we are clear about what the EQUALS Act does and does not do. The EQUALS Act does not remove or change any due process rights for probationary period employees. Probationary employees will still have due process protections. Probationary employees have access to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Office of Special Counsel. Each of those offices are empowered to hear appeals from probationary employees, and that will not change when H.R. 4182 becomes law. This bill is a much-needed fix to the Federal hiring process. It will allow the Federal Government to select the best and brightest civil servants to serve the American people. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, highly skilled Federal employees are essential to a government that serves its citizens. Skilled Federal workers ensure that functions of government, from delivering mail to protecting the homeland, are carried out successfully. Federal jobs and the skills required to perform them vary significantly across government. Some employees review patents, some work in human resources, and others work in law enforcement. While the jobs, skills, and training required may be different from job to job, the expectation that the Federal Government hires qualified candidates is universal. One tool agencies and managers have to ensure a qualified workforce is the probationary period--a period of time used to evaluate whether a new hire can effectively perform the duties of the position. Under current law, most new hires are required to complete a probationary period of 1 year before receiving full employment status. Most new employees complete the probationary period and are hired as permanent employees. New employees who fail to demonstrate that they are a good fit for the position, however, are transitioned out of government during the probationary period, but the current 1-year trial period is not sufficient for complex Federal occupations. Potential employees deserve ample time to learn about the job and demonstrate they are able to perform all critical aspects of a Federal position, and supervisors deserve ample time to evaluate new hires. What is a manager supposed to do in this case? Does the supervisor take a gamble and offer permanent status to an untested employee or risk missing out on a potentially skilled employee? This is a real dilemma. Supervisors throughout the Federal workforce have described this exact scenario in their advocacy for this bill. According to the Government Managers Coalition, managers tend to err on the side of releasing borderline employees in cases like this, and it can be a very frustrating decision for them to make. They have already devoted a significant amount of time and resources into training the new hire. However, managers would rather not risk hiring an employee who is on the fence at the end of a probationary period. This is because a manager is pretty much stuck with an employee after the probationary period. It is difficult to remove a permanent employee for poor performance or misconduct. According to the Government Accountability Office, the procedural hurdles to removing a permanent employee can take from 6 months to 1 year. The evidence is clear, the probationary period needs to be extended. In 2015, the GAO reported that chief human capital officers throughout the Federal Government would benefit from an extension of the probationary period, especially in occupations which are complex or difficult to assess. Federal manager groups have been asking for a longer probationary period for years. In congressional testimony earlier this year, the national president of the Federal Managers Association, Renee Johnson said: ``FMA advocates extending the probationary period. This would benefit both the government and employees by allowing supervisors to make decisions based on the employees' performance as fully trained employees--not just guessing at how they will perform after the training is completed.'' The Government Managers Coalition, a group of five organizations that represent the interests of over 200,000 supervisors, managers, and executives serving throughout the Federal Government, supports an extension of the probationary period. I include in the Record a letter of support from the Government Managers Coalition signed by the heads of the FAA Managers Association, Federal Managers Association, Professional Managers Association, National Council of Social Security Management Associations, and Senior Executives Association; and a letter from the Professional Managers Association. Government Managers Coalition, November 29, 2017. United States Congress, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: We write on behalf of the Government Managers Coalition (GMC), which is comprised of five major federal sector professional associations collectively representing the interests of over 200,000 supervisors, managers, and executives serving throughout the federal government. Our coalition is supportive of H.R. 4182, the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (the EQUALS Act), introduced by Representative James Comer. We appreciate Rep. Comer's efforts to take the lead on this important legislation and the consideration earlier this month by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The GMC has advocated for an extended probationary period for over a decade. We encourage you to support the measure when it comes to the floor later this week. The EQUALS Act would grant agencies the authority to extend the probationary period for competitive service appointments and supervisors. In addition, this legislation would align appointments under competitive and senior executive service with the two-year trial period served under excepted service appointments, bringing consistency to hiring throughout government. Extension of the probationary period is supported by a 2015 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, GAO-15-191. Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) commented to GAO that often supervisors within federal departments and agencies are not given sufficient time to accurately review performance before the probationary period is complete. The CHCO recommended an extension of the probationary period to the GAO in order to accurately assess an employee's abilities in the federal workforce. In addition, Congress has already approved a two-year probationary period for employees at the Department of Defense, as part of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), P.L. 114-92. The GMC's mission is to promote good government initiatives that foster effectiveness and efficiency throughout the federal government. We believe that this legislation will allow employees sufficient time on the job to demonstrate their abilities as well as allow for proper assessment. The measure will also ensure that supervisors have the opportunity and authority to fulfill their performance management responsibilities that may not be feasible under the current one-year probationary period. The current one-year probationary period is often insufficient to assess an employee's performance in more technical and complex jobs, of which there are many in the federal government, and may in fact place an employee at risk of termination before having had the opportunity to effectively demonstrate their abilities. The reality is that many technical jobs require agency classroom training, mentoring and on-the-job training for employees to become proficient. Often, the supervisor does not see the employee during those times, and is unable to observe the employee's performance. In front-line public service roles, such as with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), employees must not only learn material, but also need to be able to effectively interact with citizens. The EQUALS Act would ensure that employees are provided with the opportunity to not only receive training, but also to effectively demonstrate their abilities. Extending the probationary period will in no way penalize an employee who is performing well and progressing in their training and responsibilities. The GMC would appreciate your support of this legislation. In light of ongoing agency reorganization efforts, it is now more important than ever to ensure federal managers making personnel decisions have a comprehensive toolset available that represents both flexibility for agencies and fairness for affected federal employees. We look forward to passage of this legislation, as well as other commonsense federal workforce reform bills resulting in an improved federal government that can better serve the American public. Should you require additional information or want to discuss this issue further, please contact Rachel A. Emmons with the National Council of Social Security Management Associations (NCSSMA). Sincerely, Andy Taylor, President, FAA Managers Association. Renee M. Johnson, President, Federal Managers Association. Thomas R. Burger, Executive Director, Professional Managers Association. Christopher Detzler, President, National Council of Social Security, Management Association. Bill Valdez, President, Senior Executives Association.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4182.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, it has been more than 30 years since Congress passed meaningful tax reform. In those three decades, we have seen unbelievable progress in technology, communications, manufacturing, and so much more. I am thrilled we now have a chance to pass meaningful tax reform, an opportunity to finally move to a Tax Code that works for families, small businesses, and Americans across the board. We have a once-in-a-generation chance to bolster middle class prosperity, strengthen our economy, and help America's global competitiveness. These are not just abstract concepts. These are real people, families, businesses, and workers. Over this past year, I have traveled through the 35 counties that I represent, and I have been so impressed by the countless Kentuckians who are working to bring jobs of the future into rural America. Unlike these innovative entrepreneurs, our Tax Code is, unfortunately, stuck in the past. Like many of my constituents in the First District, I run a family farm and have experienced the challenges of dealing with an outdated and cumbersome Tax Code. know firsthand the difficulties small businesses face when they try to operate, grow, and hire more workers while battling a Tax Code that does not work for them. Passing tax reform is finally within reach, and I enthusiastically support swift passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Throughout our Nation's history, small businesses have served as the backbone of our communities. These companies provide high-quality jobs, contribute to their local communities, and invest money right here at home. That is why I am dedicated to enacting tax relief that allows American small-business owners to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, to grow their businesses, and to compete globally. This bill will create almost 13,000 new jobs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and will raise after-tax income for middle class families by almost $2,000. More than 59,000 taxpayers in the First District itemize their taxes, and because of the near doubling of the standard deduction and other simplifications, many of our taxpayers will have much simpler returns. And for our Nation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will generate economic growth adequate to increase Federal tax receipts by $1 trillion. In the First District of Kentucky, there are nearly 44,000 taxpayers who earn small business income. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, small- business owners will benefit from the new lower 9 percent tax rate on the first $75,000 of their business income for owners earning less than $150,000. Families and small businesses will have more opportunities to succeed with this framework. Additionally, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduces the number of deductions and credits aimed at special interests and other well- connected groups, which will create a simpler, more level playing field for American taxpayers. Getting rid of these special privileges in the Tax Code will ensure that all Americans, not just those who can afford their own tax preparers, get to keep more of their own money. President Trump, my colleagues in Congress and I have promised to deliver tax reform in a big way. I am proud to be keeping this promise now. My constituents deserve a system that enables them to keep more of their hard-earned money and spend less of their time dealing with our overly complicated Tax Code. I think it is important to address a concern that I have heard throughout the tax reform debate, one that I take very seriously: our national debt, which currently tops $20 trillion and is growing every day. The debt is a serious problem that poses an impediment to growth, a burden on our future, and a threat to our national security. While I am glad to finally hear bipartisan interest in addressing this challenge and getting the deficit under control, I think it is clear that any solution must include reducing government spending, particularly on mandatory programs that are the major drivers of our debt. I look forward to continuing to work towards this goal. The last time we addressed our Tax Code was when President Reagan was in office. Sticking with the Tax Code we have had for decades, one that leaves U.S. businesses and workers behind, is not an option. Now, I have high hopes for the future with this tax reform framework. I will continue fighting for reform that will benefit Kentuckians and our Nation as a whole, and I look forward to supporting progrowth solutions that have proven to benefit our Nation and our citizens.