{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=20721232-A58A-4AB4-9C30-3E9FD965A7D0", "Final Tax Reform Bill Passes Senate", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. Senate passed the conference report for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill now needs final approval by the House of Representatives before it heads to President Trumps desk for signature into law. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after voting in support of the legislation:\r\nCongress is following through on a once-in-a-generation opportunity: delivering tax relief to families in Nebraska and across the country. The first comprehensive, pro-growth, tax cuts and tax reform bill in 31 years is just one step away from the presidents desk. Because of this legislation, many Americans will have bigger paychecks, our businesses will have more opportunities to invest and grow, and our country will regain our competitive edge in the global marketplace.\r\nThis bill also creates the first nationwide paid family leave policy in U.S. history. I worked with families and stakeholders for four years on this historic provision. It will impact the everyday lives of working women and families in a positive and meaningful way.\r\nHighlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\nRelief for Middle-Class Families \r\nLowers tax rates so Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\n \r\nTax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%\r\n \r\nNearly doubles the standard deduction, protecting the first $24,000 married couples earn, and the first $12,000 individuals earn, from federal taxes.\r\n\r\nContinues to allow Americans to take a combined state/local property, sales, and/or income tax deduction of up to $10,000.\r\nExpands the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child. The tax credit is fully refundable up to $1,400 per child. A family with two kids will be able tokeep up to $4,000 more dollars every year.\r\nEliminates Obamacares individual mandate penalty tax.\r\nIncludes Fischer provision, which incentivizes businesses to offer workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leavewith a tax credit as big as 25%. Click here to read Fischers op-ed in The Washington Post for more information.\r\nOnly 28 percent of Nebraskans itemize their taxes. Tax reform will move that total to less than 10 percent nationwide.For those who do itemize, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and medical expenses will still be deductible. \r\nDeductions for things like student loan interest and teacher expenses will be preserved as well.\r\nThe adoption tax credit is preserved, tuition waivers for graduate students remain tax-free, and retirement savings plans remain tax-advantaged.\r\nUnleashing Small Business Growth\r\nProvides a 20 percent tax deduction for most small businesses.\r\nAllows businesses to fully write off new investments for five years, and is gradually phased out over five years after that.\r\nKeeping America Competitive Globally\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to 21 percent so corporations can stay competitive in the global economy.\r\nModernizes the U.S. tax system to make it easier for businesses to bring home foreign earnings to invest in growing jobs and wages.\r\n\r\n# # #", 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://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=20721232-A58A-4AB4-9C30-3E9FD965A7D0"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6985829677432775, "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"}