Adrian Smith

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I will include letters from Americans for Tax Reform, Altria, Taxpayer Protection Alliance, and the Tax Foundation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is important to note that I previously asked for some letters to be entered into the Record, and I think it is important to note some of the points that these organizations raise back to the ACLU and the Association of Social Workers and other groups. They talk about this bill leading to overcriminalization and mass incarceration of people of color. It talks about the bill disproportionately impacting people in communities of color. I think our country has had some, I think, very constructive conversations of late relating to these issues of mass incarceration and overcriminalization, and I think this bill sets us back in terms of those conversations that we have been having. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, as we have this exchange here, it is interesting to dig a little deeper here and certainly realize that there is a carve-out. I think we heard earlier there is a carve- out, actually, that would exempt the high-end cigars that would not have to be subject to this tax. And I guess I struggle to think why that would be if there are revenue concerns here and, you know, looking at a balance and so forth. I just hope that we can end up with good public policy, but certainly this is not the vehicle to do that. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. As we wrap up this discussion, I think perhaps both sides have good intentions. This would not be the first time that both sides would have good intentions, and the outcome would accomplish the exact opposite from what we would want. We want youth to not vape, to not smoke. It is dangerous. And, certainly, I think we should also respect law-abiding adults exercising the choices that they wish to make in a reasonable context. Madam Speaker, I think that this bill would actually set us back in many ways. As I mentioned earlier, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Minnesota's efforts to bring so-called parity to the taxation of cigarettes and e-cigarettes actually flatlined the State's smoking-cessation trend, while other States that didn't raise taxes continue to see smoking decrease. That is very telling. And I think it is very instructive for all of us here as we formulate policy and, hopefully, keep future generations in mind with good public policy along the way. Madam Speaker, I certainly urge a vote ``no'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record these additional letters in opposition to H.R. 2339. 6 Reasons To Oppose HR 2339 (Pallone) Total Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition 1. This bill bans all flavored tobacco products. That means menthol cigarettes (36% of market), flavored moist smokeless tobacco (60% of market), flavored cigars (26% of market), and most pipe tobacco. 2. The age for tobacco was just raised to 21 nationwide. Teen vapor trends need to be reversed. That's why Congress just raised the minimum age for all tobacco products to 21. Also, the FDA is now taking concrete steps to remove child- friendly vapor products from the market. We should give these policies time to work. 3. Adults 21 + can choose flavors in alcohol and cannabis (where legal), and they should be able to choose flavors in tobacco. Adults 21 and older buy alcohol (and cannabis where it's legal). They are taxpayers, voters, and can serve in the military. Taking this decision away from adults 21 and over won't stop the behavior--it will just move it into the illegal market. We should respect adults and let them make these decisions. 4. Prohibition doesn't work. It never has. This bill would criminalize the sale and distribution of these products for adults. That's Prohibition. In the 1920s, Alcohol Prohibition created an illegal market, increased crime, burdened law enforcement, and endangered the public. 5. Youth use of traditional products is DOWN. Underage vapor rates are too high. But underage use of traditional tobacco products is at historic lows. Longstanding public health efforts are working--so why take the risk of criminalizing these products and moving them into an illegal market where there is no regulation? 6. Banning large segments of the tobacco market guts government revenues. Banning the sale of flavored tobacco products to adults would impact over a third of the industry, devastating jobs and the economy: Over 250,000 retail and other jobs at risk Over $13.6 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues at risk annually (see states detail below)

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my home community of Gering-Scottsbluff, Nebraska for being honored as one of the top western towns by True West Magazine. As executive director Bob Boze Bell said in the article, ``There's so much history, so many stories that are told in the places, the events, the attitude of the people who live there. Scottsbluff and Gering, together, is truly a top western town.'' Now in our sixth generation as Scotts Bluff County natives, my family would have to agree. Sharing this honor with famous western towns such as Tombstone, Arizona; Deadwood, South Dakota; and Sheridan, Wyoming, Scottsbluff and Gering have their own important part of American history and the role it played in our westward migration. Home to one of the most famous Oregon Trail landmarks, the Scotts Bluff National Monument, this area was known as one of the most breathtaking sights on the journey west. Community support and involvement has led us to this recognition. There truly is no place like Nebraska, and I am proud to call the Gering and Scottsbluff area my home. I thank Brenda Leisy and Karla Neidan-Streeks for their work in promoting our community. I also thank the people of Gering-Scottsbluff, who, together, make our community a great place to live.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I honor the life of Howard Skavdahl, who recently passed away. He was a native of Harrison, in Nebraska's Third District, and is laid to rest with the select men and women of our armed services buried in Arlington Cemetery. He earned this honor through his valued service to our nation in World War II. During World War II, Howard Skavdahl served our country in England, France, and Germany as a meteorologist in the Army Air Corps. He continued in the Reserves until retiring in 1965 as a Major. Major Skavdahl truly embodies our ``greatest generation.'' He had a lifelong passion for aeronautics. After completing his active duty military service, he completed his Masters Degree at the California Institute of Technology, and brought his aeronautical expertise to the private sector at the Rand Corporation and Boeing. While at Boeing, he was chief technical engineer for two NASA airplanes, and worked on propulsion systems for the 747, 757, 767, and 777. He retired in 1990 as the head of Boeing's Propulsion Research Department. Besides his accomplishments, Mr. Skavdahl was known for his compassion for his family and friends. Throughout his life, he touched countless others, and is survived by his three sons, ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. We are grateful for his service to our country.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Allen Beermann, who is retiring from his longtime position as the executive director of the Nebraska Press Association after having been Nebraska's secretary of state for 24 years. Through his 48 years of public service, Allen has been an example of dignity and a source of inspiration to countless Nebraskans. Allen is well known across Nebraska and even around the world for his commitment to his work and his affinity for meeting new people. As a Nebraska Secretary of State, he worked tirelessly to protect the integrity of our elections. He brought this commitment to integrity with him into his next role as executive director of the Nebraska Press Association as well. He has traveled to many countries and met with people from all walks of life, establishing relationships with everyone he meets along the way. Allen likes to say his career took him to ``48 countries in 48 years,'' and I am sure he has no shortage of stories from these trips. I have known Allen for many years, and I can say, in addition to his hard work, Allen has always been a great person to be around. Allen is always one to lighten a conversation with his quick wit and positive attitude, and his many friends around the world are a testament to his character. He has even been known to poke fun at himself a little bit, stating, recently, that the Nebraska Historical Society has recognized him as the ``official State artifact.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Allen Beermann's commendable public service, and wish him good luck in his retirement.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I almost heard my colleague Mr. Larson appreciate, I thought I heard him say President Trump, but then he did say ``Trumka,'' so I guess maybe not so much similarity there. But the fact of the matter is I appreciate the few nudges that we have seen over the last few weeks that have brought us to this point. And I certainly appreciate the work of Ambassador Lighthizer and many on President Trump's team who have worked so hard to get us to this point. Representing an agriculture powerhouse district, the Third District of Nebraska, where our farmers and ranchers work very diligently and very efficiently to help feed America and the world, we need good markets for them. Trade relationships in North America are so important, and we have this opportunity to modernize NAFTA, heading us in the direction of even more markets and really reflecting the needs of our economy and the economy across North America. We have got this opportunity to bring people together, especially in light of events this week. I certainly appreciate this opportunity and our leaders on the Ways and Means Committee, both Mr. Brady and the chairman as well. This is a great time to work together. I look forward to its passage and urge everyone to vote ``yes.''

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I must admit, I am a bit puzzled today as to why we are here for this bill. Our work in the House is almost done for the year. We have funded the Federal Government and extended expiring programs like flood insurance. We are about to pass USMCA with a record vote. Our Democratic colleagues can go home and celebrate that they voted to make history in impeaching the President. But apparently, before we go home for Christmas, we also need to give Ebenezer Scrooge a tax cut, even though we know the Senate won't take up the bill. Before we get into the problems with today's bill, we should review the positives of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which this bill seeks to undermine. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered tax rates for all Americans and increased the child tax credit. We doubled the standard deduction from $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for married couples to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for couples. And to help ensure Federal tax policy doesn't reward States and cities for raising their taxes sky high, we instituted a $10,000, very thoughtful, cap on State and local tax deductions to ensure Americans in low-tax States don't pay an unfair share of Federal taxes. Thanks to the combination of lower rates, larger child tax credit, and higher standard deduction under TCJA, for example, a single mom with two kids doesn't pay a penny in Federal income tax until her income exceeds $53,000. In other words, we ensure that that mom doesn't owe Federal income tax until her income exceeds not just $15 an hour, but $25 per hour. For Americans who do pay income tax, the higher standard deduction means 29 million more households had their tax returns simplified because they could take the standard deduction instead of itemizing. How does the majority propose to improve our tax code today? Not by simplifying the code or ensuring our tax code is more equitable, but by passing a temporary--emphasis on ``temporary''--tax cut, which largely benefits people with incomes between-- please, listen--$200,000 and $1 million per year--perhaps a new definition of the middle class--paid for by permanently increasing taxes on small businesses. Let me say that again. If you make between $0 and $75,000, this bill does not give you tax relief, or a tax cut. If you make between $75,000 and $200,000, there is a small chance you could get a small tax cut. If you make between $200,000 per year and $1 million per year, you have the best chance of getting a tax cut. Madam Speaker, we should continue working together to find ways to improve the tax code for all Americans. This bill makes the code both more complex and less progressive. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a series of statements in opposition to H.R. 5377 from Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity, National Taxpayers Union, Heritage Action, and Parity for Main Street Employers. Key Vote: ATR Urges No Vote on H.R. 5377, a Pledge Violation Posted by Alex Hendrie on Wednesday, December 18th, 2019, 3:00 PM

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice), an expert on tax policy.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I might add that Nebraska, the State that I represent, actually is considered to be a donor State, as well, and there is great support for the SALT cap in Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I would just add that there will be a chance here in a few moments to answer the concerns that the prior speaker had, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, in the interest of accuracy in this debate, I would like to reiterate that we doubled the standard deduction for all Americans--not just selective groups, but all Americans. We doubled that standard deduction, therefore, helping the middle class, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.