{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-urges-house-to-pass-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act", "Byrne Urges House to Pass Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne this morning delivered a speech in support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first major reform of our nations tax code since 1986.\nThe House is expected to vote on the final tax reform package later this afternoon. Click here to read more about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\nThe full transcript of Congressman Byrnes remarks can be found below.\nCongressman Byrne said: I thank the Chairman for yielding and for his continued leadership.\nWe are on the cusp of something truly historic that will make life better for millions of people across the United States. By reforming the tax code, we will be able to put more money in peoples pockets and create a fairer and simpler system.\nUnder the current tax code, well off individuals and big businesses can hire lobbyists and lawyers to help them find loopholes and special-interest giveaways all at the expense of working Americans.\nWith our plan, the tax code will be simplified, loopholes will be closed, and the playing field will be leveled.\nI want to make one thing clear: if you are looking for a tax plan that benefits the elite, the well-connected, and the 1% then you need to look at the current tax code.\nMr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are going to great lengths to defend the current tax code that truly benefits the 1%. \nFor example, the Democratic Leader has called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act the end of the world.\nSo, apparently giving the hardworking people in this country a tax cut is somehow Armageddon.\nListen: lets stop with all the doomsday political rhetoric, cut to the chase, and say what this bill really does:\nIt cuts taxes on hardworking Americans and allows them to keep more money in their pockets.\nIt supports American families by increasing the child tax credit and doubling the standard deduction.\nIt grows the American economy by making the corporate tax code actually competitive with other industrialized countries.\nIt benefits Main Street businesses in Alabama and across the country with a new 20% tax deduction for pass-through income.\nIt will lead to greater economic growth, higher wages, and more jobs, which is exactly what the American people sent President Trump and the Republican Congress to Washington to do.\nSo, lets save the political hyperbole for another day, lets pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and lets give the American people a real Christmas present and put more money in their pockets.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-urges-house-to-pass-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.0177629776299, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}