{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-a-historic-moment-for-the-middle-class", "CRAMER: A Historic Moment for The Middle Class", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recording: HD Video\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Kevin Cramer voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today - a bill bringing an estimated gain in after-tax income of $2,287 for middle-income North Dakota families and 2,676 new jobs.\nH.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will return an estimated\u00a0$1.5 trillion\u00a0to America\u2019s hardworking families and businesses. In North Dakota, that means a roughly\u00a0$2,287\u00a0pay raise for middle-income families across the state - enough for\u00a08 months\u00a0of groceries in the average household, or for a local restaurant owner to invest in wage increases or a much-needed new employee.\n\u201cFor far too long, Washington lobbyists and special interest groups have held a chokehold on the 74,000 page U.S. Tax Code, said Cramer. \u201cBloated with carve-outs and gimmicks meant to incentivize one industry over another, the United States has the least competitive tax system in the industrialized world, which is why House Republicans are pushing the reset button.\u201d\nThe bill lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to Zero, 12%, 25%, and 35%\u00a0so people can keep more of the money they earn throughout their lives, and continues to maintain 39.6% for high-income Americans. It also significantly increases the standard deduction\u00a0to protect roughly double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes \u2013 from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples. And, contrary to rumors, it retains savings options for 401(k)s and other individual retirement accounts.\nIt permanently lowers the corporate tax rate to 20% - adding jobs, increasing workers\u2019 wages, and making the United States one of the most competitive tax countries in the world. It also provides immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption and repealing the Death Tax after six years while also maintaining \u2018step-up in basis.\u2019 Family-owned farms and businesses will no longer have to worry about double or triple taxation from Washington when they pass down their life\u2019s work to the next generation.\nDuring debate today, Cramer emphasized the importance this bill has on the middle class \u2013 over-and-above the economic and job creation benefits. \u201cIt\u2019s really the long overdue direct tax benefits to the vast middle-class who don\u2019t have a lobbyist living in the rich suburbs of Washington D.C. that takes center stage for me and my fellow North Dakotan,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThe benefit of doubling the standard deduction combined with greater job opportunities and simpler, less expensive filing costs, and a generous family tax credit will put more money in the pockets and less anxiety in the hearts of middle-class North Dakotans.\u201d\nSummary of bill\u2019s benefits to Americans\nFor individuals and families, the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n Lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to Zero, 12%, 25%, and 35%\u00a0so people can keep more of the money they earn throughout their lives, and continues to maintain 39.6% for high-income Americans.\n\tSignificantly increases the standard deduction\u00a0to protect roughly double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes \u2013 from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.\n\tEliminates special-interest deductions that increase rates and complicate Americans\u2019 taxes\u00a0\u2013 so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard.\n\tTakes action to support more American families\u00a0by:\n\t\tEstablishing a new Family Credit \u2013 which includes expanding the Child Tax Credit\u00a0from $1,000 to $1,600 to help parents with the cost of raising children, and providing a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent to help all families with their everyday expenses.\n\t\t\tPreserving the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit\u00a0to help families care for their children and older dependents such as a disabled grandparent who may need additional support.\n\t\t\tPreserving the Adoption Tax Credit\u00a0so parents can continue to receive additional tax relief as they open their hearts and their homes to an adopted child.\n\t\t\n\tMaintains the Earned Income Tax Credit\u00a0to provide important tax relief for low-income Americans working to build better lives for themselves.\n\tStreamlines higher education benefits\u00a0to help families save for and better afford college tuition and other education expenses.\n\tContinues the deduction for charitable contributions\u00a0so people can continue to donate to their local church, charity, or community organization.\n\tPreserves the home mortgage interest deduction\u00a0for existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $500,000 \u2013 providing tax relief to current and aspiring homeowners.\n\tContinues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local property taxes\u00a0up to $10,000.\n\tRetains popular retirement savings options\u00a0such as 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts so Americans can continue to save for their future.\n\tRepeals the Alternative Minimum Tax\u00a0so millions of individuals and families will no longer have to worry about calculating their taxes twice each year and pay the higher amount.\n\tProvides immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption and repealing the Death Tax after six years. Family-owned farms and businesses will no longer have to worry about double or triple taxation from Washington when they pass down their life\u2019s work to the next generation.\n For job creators of all sizes, the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n Lowers the corporate tax rate to 20%\u00a0\u2013 down from 35%, which today is the highest in the industrialized world \u2013 the largest reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate in our nation\u2019s history.\n\tReduces the tax rate on the hard-earned business income of Main Street job creators to no more than 25%\u00a0\u2013 the lowest tax rate on small business income since World War II.\n\tProvides a new, low tax rate of 9% for businesses earning less than $75,000 in income\u00a0to help the Main Street startups who fuel innovation and job creation in communities across the country\n\tEstablishes strong safeguards to distinguish between individual wage income and \u201cpass-through\u201d business income\u00a0so Main Street tax relief goes to the local job creators it was designed to help most.\n\tAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment\u00a0to improve operations and enhance the skills of their workers \u2013 unleashing the growth of jobs, productivity, and paychecks.\n\tProtects the ability of small businesses to write off the interest on loans\u00a0that help these Main Street entrepreneurs start or expand a business, hire workers, and increase paychecks.\n\tRetains the low-income housing tax credit\u00a0that encourages businesses to invest in affordable housing so families, individuals, and seniors can find a safe and comfortable place to call home.\n\tPreserves the Research & Development Tax Credit\u00a0\u2013 encouraging our businesses and workers to develop cutting-edge \u201cMade in America\u201d products and services.\n\tStrengthens accountability rules for tax-exempt organizations\u00a0to ensure that churches, charities, foundations, and other organizations receiving tax-exempt status are focused on helping people and communities in need.\n\tModernizes our international tax system\u00a0so America\u2019s global businesses will no longer be held back by an outdated \u201cworldwide\u201d tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nation\u2019s job creators.\n\tMakes it easier for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings\u00a0to invest in growing jobs and paychecks in our local communities.\n\tPrevents American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas\u00a0by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\n Support from business community: Airlines for America, Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute, Alliance for Competitive Taxation (ACT), American Bankers Association, American Forest & Paper Association, American Hotels and Lodging Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, American Petroleum Institute, American Trucking Association, AT&T, AT&T \u2013 $1 Billion Investment, Business Leaders for Michigan, Business Roundtable, Consumer Technology Association, CTIA, Electronic Transactions Association, Entertainment Software Association, Ford, Grocery Manufacturers Association, International Franchise Association, Intuit, Insured Retirement Institute, Motion Picture Association (MPAA), National Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Wholesale-Distributors (NAW), National Federation of Independent Business, National Restaurant Association\u00a0, National Retail Federation, Printing Industries of America, Raytheon, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Reforming America\u2019s Taxes Equitably (RATE) Coalition, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council\u00a0, UPS, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Walmart, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), Chamber Group Letter\nConservative Support: American Action Network, American Commitment, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Tax Reform \u2013 Key Vote, American Legislative Exchange Council Action, Association of Mature American Citizens, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, Center for Individual Freedom, Citizens Against Government Waste, Concerned Veterans for America, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Club for Growth, Digital Liberty, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Family Business Coalition, Freedom Partners, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, FreedomWorks, Generation Opportunity, Heritage Action, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Independent Women\u2019s Voice, The LIBRE Initiative, National Taxpayers Union, Reaching America, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, 60 Plus Association, Group Letter\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", 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