url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/top-priority-2018-60-second-survey,Top Priority of 2018? :60 Second Survey,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,240 Cannon House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hunter.house.gov/congressman-hunters-year-review,Congressman Hunter's Year In Review,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CA,Duncan Hunter,H001048,hunter.house.gov,,,legacy,"As the year comes to a close, I want to share with you some highlights of 2017. With tax reform in the news right now, its easy to forget the other successes Congress has had this year. To date, Congress has sent President Trump more than 92 bills that have been signed into law, including 15 under the Congressional Review Act, aimed at specifically overturning Obama-era rules and regulations. This regulatory reform has resulted in over $60 billion in cost savings. I also remain committed to strengthening immigration enforcement, national defense, and rebuilding our nations infrastructure. Back at home, my team remains dedicated to delivering high-quality constituent services, working to helpresidents of the 50th Congressional District cut through red tape at the VA, or assist with Social Security and Medicare issues. Thank you for giving me that honor in 2017, and I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2018. Jobs & Tax Reform Among my top priorities is promoting job creation and economic growth so all Americans can prosper. For the first time in over 30 years, Congress passed comprehensive tax reform which will unleash economic growth and put more money back in the pockets of taxpayers like you ~ who can better decide how to spend it. The tax legislation lowers rates for both individuals and businesses and eliminates loopholes and complex deductions to simplify the code and encourage job creation and economic growth. With this bill, a family of four earning a median income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of $2,059. This once-in-a-generation legislation was sent to President Trumps desk to be signed into law. It makes our tax code internationally competitive and simple to understand. Im confident the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide direct benefits to the constituents of Californias 50th Congressional District. California Wildfires Over the past two weeks, devastating wildfires have affected our district and communities across California. I have been working withHouse Leadership andmy colleagues to bring resources toourstate. I ampleasedto report that tax benefits for disaster victims and funding for the recovery was included in the tax bill and a supplemental appropriations bill considered by the House this week. Concealed Carry Reciprocity Earlier this month, the House passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. I proudly voted in favor of the bipartisan legislation, of which I am an original cosponsor. The long overdue legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens that have obtained a state-issued concealed carry license or permit for their firearm may carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, as-long-as the individual is properly following the laws of that state. Military Readiness As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was pleased to see President Donald Trump sign the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law earlier this month which reaffirms our nations commitment to a strong national defense. Specifically, this bipartisan legislation authorizes critical military programs and provides our warfighters with the tools they need to complete their mission and keep us safe at home. Other important provisions of the FY18 NDAA include: Increasing troop levels over FY17 levels of 15,700+ active duty personnel over the four services; Enhancing missile defense $4.4 billion over initial Presidential budget request; Authorization for the first polar icebreaker to begin the recapitalization of the existing U.S. Coast Guard fleet; Support for upgraded communication technology on the MV-22 Osprey, which has been called a game changer for our warfighters; Ensuring critical naval components are made by American workers and American businesses; Salary increase of 2.4% for service members. Enhancing Veteran Care California's 50th District is home to over 58,000 veterans and active duty service members. I am grateful and proud of their service. Earlier this month, the House passed S. 1266, the Enhancing Veteran Care Act, which authorizes the VA to contract with non-profits to investigate wrongdoing or substandard care practices. This bill would streamline the investigation process, ensuring that veterans get timely access to the quality care they deserve. Were almost there, next up: the presidents desk to be signed into law. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Earlier this year, the nation saw on full display what Ive already come to know as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The Coast Guard saved 11,000 lives in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands during Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Crews have continued to provide relief to those affected by the hurricanes including the inspection of port facilities, transferring supplies such as food and water, and conducting search and rescues. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the subcommittee to ensure that the Coast Guard continues to look for ways to improve efficiency and improve maritime safety and security. The Coast Guard also has an important role as the first line of defense in protecting our Maritime border. I strongly believe the first priority in immigration reform must be to strengthen border security and ensure verifiable enforcement. Without those two things being achieved, I will not support any immigration reform effort, including DACA, that does not address border enforcement and put national security first. Period. I have alsojoined several of my congressional colleagues in introducing two important pieces of legislation critical in the ongoing effort to curb illegal immigration; the Legal Workforce Act and the Immigration in the National Interest Act. Education and the Workforce As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I understand that we need to modernize the Higher Education Act to meet the specific needs of students. It is an essential step to rebuilding Americas middle class and providing a new era of opportunity for students. It is for this reasonI introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4078, the Expanding Americas Workforce Act of 2017, whichwould establish various programs to ease the financial burden on workers who are seeking to further their education.I have also re-introduced the bipartisan Student Right to Know Before You Go Act, alongside a Senate version led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in November. With the cost of higher education rapidly rising, this bill would allow students and their families to have access to more data to base their decision on where to pursue a higher education. Social Security Finally, I want to remind seniors that the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.0 percent in 2018. The 2.0 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018 and increased payments to SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). For more information about how COLA is calculated please visitwww.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Information about Medicare changes for 2018 will be available atwww.medicare.gov. Social Media If you would like to stay up to date on my work in Congress, please subscribe to my newsletter by clickinghere, likingmy pageon Facebook, or following me on Twitter at@Rep_Hunter. Looking Ahead As we enjoy the Christmas season, I hope you will join me in remembering the men and women who serve in our nation's military, especiallythe service members who are deployed abroad and unable to spend the holidays with their families. I am so grateful for them and their service. I look forward to returning to Congress in the New Year, and I am eager to work with my colleagues to advance policies that will help keep America strong and competitive. As House Republicans prepare to begin the second session of the 115th Congress, I will continue to focus my effortsto move our country forward. Your concerns remain my priority. As always, I hope to hear from you throughout the course of the year as Congress does its legislative work, in addition to providing effective oversight.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1751,Year in Review: Constituent Services,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friends -And just like that we concluded the first session of the 115th Congress. 2017 has been a year of many achievements, but more than that, it has been a record year for consituent communication. It is my priority as your Representative to be accessible to my constituents and to let you know what is happening in both D.C. and the district. Here is 2017 in review: 1.5 Million: That's the number of constituent contacts I made this year. These include opened emails I sent out, responses to mail and calls sent to the office, telephone town hall attendees, and attendees of meetings or constituent forums. 103,506: That's the number of incoming constituent correspondence we have received and responded to since January 1, 2017. This includes emails, letters sent through the mail, and phone calls. Each day the staff updates me on topics folks are contacting the office about and their sentiments. The top issues we have heard about this year are tax reform, health care, the environment, immigration, national security, and government reform. 10, 15,161, 264: That's the number of telephone town hall events I held; the total number of attendees who participated in those events; and the number of questions answered. 1,167: That number there is the number of cases my district staff has completed. If you are having trouble with a federal agency, contact one of my district offices! They are located in Stafford, Hanover, and Tappahannock. 71: That's the number of constituent forums I held in communities across the district. These forums, like the one pictured above in Fredericksburg, allow me to update folks on my work in Washington and answer questions from constituents. 14: That's the number of bills I introduced addressing topics like national defense, federal employees, the environment, veterans affairs, federal recognition for Virginia Indian tribes, and Congressional accountability. ONE: That number represents my top priority: listening to the people I represent and using your thoughts, concerns, and insights to better represent you in Washington. It's an honor to serve you and Virginia's First District in the People's House. I look forward to hearing from you in 2018! Sincerely, Rob *Numbers as of December 21, 2017",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=232C6B2B-BA4C-422E-AFD1-AD108E397BF9,"eMissourian: Sen. Blunt Touts Tax Credits During Visit Tours Historic, Renovated Businesses",2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Monte Miller On the heels of a historic federal tax cut, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, his wife Abigail and son Charlie, visited Washington Wednesday to tour two local businesses which have already benefited from federal tax credits. During the frigid visit Blunt told a gathering of city and business leaders Washington was one of his favorite cities to visit and it was great to see businesses taking advantage of historic federal tax credits to make projects work. Blunt made the comments at the recently renovated dentist office, which now houses the Bryan Haynes studio and gallery on Second Street. The 134-year-old building was recently renovated and Haynes opened his studio there in mid-November. Before the warmth of the studio, Blunt visited a building on Front Street being renovated by Rick and Karen Marquart to eventually house a Mexican restaurant and other businesses and apartments. In a past life, the building was home to one of the several corn cob pipe factories in the county and a hat company. Missouri uses more historic tax credits than any other state, Blunt said. There were even more tax credits placed in the big tax bill that was just passed. Blunt also addressed some of the criticisms the new tax bill has received from its opponents that it will only benefit a certain percentage of the population. The more wrong people were, the louder they got, Blunt said. Half of the population is not paying any income tax. You cant get any better that. The proof is in the pudding, he said. Beginning next year, people will have more money to take home. A family of four making $73,000 per year will see about a $2,000 more to take home. He added opponents argued $200 per month was not much money. Tell someone who doesnt have $200 that, Blunt said. We have to look at this more as a tax cut instead of tax reform. He added the tax cuts will serve a twofold purpose by putting more money in individuals pockets and helping businesses create more jobs with the money they are saving in taxes each year. Budget Cuts/Spending To pay for the recent tax cuts, President Trump, in his proposed budget, made $4.1 trillion cuts in entitlements and spending in every federal department while at the same time lifting thousands of restrictions and regulations. One area of focused and increased spending is defense with a proposed 10 percent increase up to $574.5 billion. Blunt says the additional defense funds are overdue and more is still needed in other areas. The increase in military spending needs to happen, Blunt said. We have to compensate the men and women who are risking their lives to defend our country and keep us safe. He added in addition to direct military spending, many people are working domestically to keep citizens out of harms way and budget increases are warranted for Homeland Security as well. In Trumps budget, the Department of Homeland Security would receive a nearly 7 percent increase up to $44.1 billion, and the Department of Veterans Affairs would see a nearly 6 percent increase, bumping its overall budget up to $78.8 billion. Transportation Blunt also touched briefly on upcoming legislation for 2018. With the tax reform as arguably his biggest legislative success, Trump has hinted a massive transportation and infrastructure bill may be next. Blunt says any legislation that comes in the new year must be done in an efficient way and he again referred to how the tax credits allow the government to work directly with citizens to infuse the economy. If an infrastructure bill does come, it may be similar in form to President Barack Obamas American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was designed to put federal money directly into shovel-ready projects to not only improve infrastructure, but to also stimulate job growth. We have to find ways to get the maximum out of the money, Blunt said. Maybe the answer is more private/public partnerships to best allow the states and citizens to use the money. Bipartisan As the Trump administration gains momentum in the next three years, Blunt says the need for bipartisanship and unity of his own Republican Party will be needed to benefit the American people. He said recent rumors about fellow Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, running against Trump in the 2020 primary were just that, rumors. If anyone did decide to do that, they certainly would have a forum, Blunt said. This is a time for Democrats and Republicans to work in a less partisan way. One step and one item at a time. Click here to read more",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=5265D485-A561-434E-8A3D-4013FFB54D2C,"eMissourian: Sen. Blunt Touts Tax Credits During Visit Tours Historic, Renovated Businesses",2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Monte Miller On the heels of a historic federal tax cut, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, his wife Abigail and son Charlie, visited Washington Wednesday to tour two local businesses which have already benefited from federal tax credits. During the frigid visit Blunt told a gathering of city and business leaders Washington was one of his favorite cities to visit and it was great to see businesses taking advantage of historic federal tax credits to make projects work. Blunt made the comments at the recently renovated dentist office, which now houses the Bryan Haynes studio and gallery on Second Street. The 134-year-old building was recently renovated and Haynes opened his studio there in mid-November. Before the warmth of the studio, Blunt visited a building on Front Street being renovated by Rick and Karen Marquart to eventually house a Mexican restaurant and other businesses and apartments. In a past life, the building was home to one of the several corn cob pipe factories in the county and a hat company. Missouri uses more historic tax credits than any other state, Blunt said. There were even more tax credits placed in the big tax bill that was just passed. Blunt also addressed some of the criticisms the new tax bill has received from its opponents that it will only benefit a certain percentage of the population. The more wrong people were, the louder they got, Blunt said. Half of the population is not paying any income tax. You cant get any better that. The proof is in the pudding, he said. Beginning next year, people will have more money to take home. A family of four making $73,000 per year will see about a $2,000 more to take home. He added opponents argued $200 per month was not much money. Tell someone who doesnt have $200 that, Blunt said. We have to look at this more as a tax cut instead of tax reform. He added the tax cuts will serve a twofold purpose by putting more money in individuals pockets and helping businesses create more jobs with the money they are saving in taxes each year. Budget Cuts/Spending To pay for the recent tax cuts, President Trump, in his proposed budget, made $4.1 trillion cuts in entitlements and spending in every federal department while at the same time lifting thousands of restrictions and regulations. One area of focused and increased spending is defense with a proposed 10 percent increase up to $574.5 billion. Blunt says the additional defense funds are overdue and more is still needed in other areas. The increase in military spending needs to happen, Blunt said. We have to compensate the men and women who are risking their lives to defend our country and keep us safe. He added in addition to direct military spending, many people are working domestically to keep citizens out of harms way and budget increases are warranted for Homeland Security as well. In Trumps budget, the Department of Homeland Security would receive a nearly 7 percent increase up to $44.1 billion, and the Department of Veterans Affairs would see a nearly 6 percent increase, bumping its overall budget up to $78.8 billion. Transportation Blunt also touched briefly on upcoming legislation for 2018. With the tax reform as arguably his biggest legislative success, Trump has hinted a massive transportation and infrastructure bill may be next. Blunt says any legislation that comes in the new year must be done in an efficient way and he again referred to how the tax credits allow the government to work directly with citizens to infuse the economy. If an infrastructure bill does come, it may be similar in form to President Barack Obamas American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was designed to put federal money directly into shovel-ready projects to not only improve infrastructure, but to also stimulate job growth. We have to find ways to get the maximum out of the money, Blunt said. Maybe the answer is more private/public partnerships to best allow the states and citizens to use the money. Bipartisan As the Trump administration gains momentum in the next three years, Blunt says the need for bipartisanship and unity of his own Republican Party will be needed to benefit the American people. He said recent rumors about fellow Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, running against Trump in the 2020 primary were just that, rumors. If anyone did decide to do that, they certainly would have a forum, Blunt said. This is a time for Democrats and Republicans to work in a less partisan way. One step and one item at a time. Click here to read more",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-statement-on-douglas-county-incident,Gardner Statement on Douglas County Incident,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the below statement following the officer-involved shooting in Douglas County: My heart breaks for all of those affected by the terrible tragedy in Douglas County. Jaime and I are praying for the citizens and Deputies injured at the scene, and our hearts go out to the family of the Deputy who was fatally wounded. Our law enforcement officers work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe and today all of Colorado stands with our law enforcement community. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy and Subcommittee on Energy 354 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (202) 224-5941",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=F44DB8C2-04DA-45B7-B41E-A14B9EA69740,Hatch's Top 10 of 2017,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As the year comes to a close, take a look at the top 10 things Senator Hatch did in 2017. 10. Senator Hatch's teen suicide prevention bill advanced: 9. Senator Hatch's RAPID DNA bill was signed into law: 8. Senator Hatch introduced a bill to help teachers pay off their student loan debt, so that the best teachers in our Utah schools can afford to stay there: 7. Senator Hatch showed where he stands on white supremacy in Charlottesville: 6. Senator Hatch convened a high-level meeting on human trafficking with Ivanka Trump, Operation Underground Railroads Tim Ballard, and a number of his Senate colleagues: 5. We came a step closer to extending Senator Hatch's Childrens Health Insurance Program for another five years. The Senate is likely to pass it in early January: 4. Senator Hatch introduced a bill to make it easier to study the benefits of medical marijuana as a safe, non-addictive alternative to opioids: 3. The President accepted Senator Hatch's invitation to come to Utah to strike a compromise on our national monuments: 2. We confirmed Justice Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court: 1.We delivered on a key promise by passing tax reform that will benefit the vast majority of working families in Utah:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=574BF67B-6DA7-4E6E-9DFA-12C2E377CC5B,Senators Tillis & Coons Issue Joint Statement On Protests In Iran,2017-12-31,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Press Releases Home News Press Releases Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Human Rights Caucus, today issued the following joint statement on the continued protests in Iran:The Iranian people are bravely and peacefully taking to the streets to voice their rejection of a regime that has oppressed them and denied their basic human rights. The bipartisan Senate Human Rights Caucus stands in solidarity with the demands of the Iranian protestors and urges the Administration and Congress to continue supporting human rights in Iran. ### 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6342 Fax: (202) 228-2563 9300 Harris Corners Pkwy Suite 170 Charlotte, NC 28269 Phone: (704) 509-9087 Fax: (704) 509-9162 1694 E. Arlington Blvd Suite B Greenville, NC 27858 Phone: (252) 329-0371 Fax: (252) 329-0290 Phone: (828) 693-8750 Fax: (828) 693-9724 1840 Eastchester Drive, Suite 200 High Point, NC 27265 Phone: (336) 885-0685 Fax: (336) 885-0692 310 New Bern Avenue Suite 122 Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 856-4630 Fax: (919) 856-4053",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://flores.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399054,Waco Tribune: New tax bill paves way for era of prosperity in 2018 and beyond,2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,Bill Flores,F000461,flores.house.gov,,,legacy,"By U.S. Rep. Bill Flores There has been an incredible amount of false rhetoric regarding tax reform recently. As a Texas Certified Public Accountant (CPA), former energy CEO and a former chief financial officer for three multi-national businesses, I have a comprehensive and deep real world understanding on the impact of tax policy on American wage growth, economic activity and international competitiveness. I rely on that expertise to write and set the record straight regarding tax reform. As we begin 2018, we have set the framework to usher in a new era of American prosperity. Relief is on the way for working-class American families, many of whom now live paycheck to paycheck. According to recent studies, a majority of these families have less than a $400 cash reserve to handle financial emergencies. In addition, many of these individuals and families have experienced little to no growth in their take-home pay during the 2006-2016 time period. During that time, income inequality grew at the fastest rate in decades, while these families were left behind and saddled with higher health-care costs and higher costs of living. When the House of Representatives started working on tax reform in 2011, these are the families and individuals that we kept in the forefront of our thinking. Our goals during the tax-reform process were twofold first, to help working-class families keep more of their paychecks, and second, and most importantly, to provide a tax infrastructure that would grow jobs and economic opportunities for these families. History proves empirically that tax reform and tax cuts, when properly executed, will generate higher economic growth, more job opportunities and larger paychecks. A quick review of gross domestic product (GDP) growth, employment growth and wage growth following the tax cut/tax reform initiatives of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 (enacted in 1964); President Ronald Reagan in 1981-1982; and again under Reagan in 1986 shows that working-class families experience substantial economic benefits when America fixes its tax system. In particular, the last comprehensive overhaul of our tax code, during the Reagan administration in 1986, led to a significant boost in our nations economic activity. During that time, American GDP growth averaged about 3.9 percent and reached as high as 4.2 percent. This economic opportunity is substantially better than the 2009-2016 period when average GDP growth was an anemic 1.5 percent. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law on Dec. 22, creates a tax code for the 21st century that will lead to more jobs, bigger paychecks and fairer taxes for these hardworking American families. Under the new tax code, which will start on January 1, a typical family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 per year would see a 58 percent reduction in their tax bill. For this family, it means they get to keep over $2,000 more of their take-home pay. A family of four with annual income of $59,000 will see their taxes drop about 75 percent from approximately $1,600 to about $400. While some on the left have criticized these cuts, it is important to think about the impact that this increased take-home pay will have on these families. This increased cash flow is particularly impactful when looking at the average $400 cash reserves held by these families who struggle to get by on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis. These families will begin feeling these benefits in February as the IRS adjusts tax withholding tables; and April 15, 2018, the last date they will have to file their tax returns under todays broken tax code. Their tax filings for 2018 and subsequent years will be much easier and simpler. These families are helped by four major reforms. First, by nearly doubling the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for joint filers their tax-free earnings are significantly larger. Second, doubling the Child Tax Credit will give parents extra money to meet their families living expenses. Third, lowering tax rates across the board allows every American to receive a long-overdue tax cut. Fourth, and most importantly, the tax reforms for American businesses will generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs and larger paychecks. Despite false claims to the contrary, this tax reform was NOT rushed through Congress. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the result of years of work that began in earnest in 2011 when Republicans regained the majority in the House. Since then, the Senate and the House have held more than 100 tax-related hearings to ensure that input from all stakeholders including families, individuals, small businesses and the largest American companies would be included in shaping tax reform. I am particularly proud that constituents from the 17th Congressional District participated in this process by letting their voices be heard. Hearings even included compelling Ways and Means Committee hearing testimony from the leader of a women-owned business in our Central Texas congressional district. After a number of years and thousands of hours of input, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was formally introduced. The House and Senate tax-writing committees each spent four days considering and improving the bill. After each chamber passed its version of the bill, the conference committee began working to reconcile differences and to make the final bill stronger so that more hardworking Americans could feel the benefit of comprehensive tax reform. Immediately after the bill was signed by President Trump, several American businesses announced that they are issuing special 2017 employee bonuses, raising wage levels, investing in job-training and investing in America to grow their businesses. It is obvious that tax reform is already having a significant, positive impact on American families. These effects will expand and, when combined with the increase in GDP to 3.3 percent under the first year of President Trumps economic policies, our economy will continue to grow and American families will benefit. Critics of Americas new, improved tax code have also falsely claimed that it will create Armageddon consequences, including increased deficits, cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, etc. These claims are categorically false. They are beyond the pale and, worse, they are designed to create fear among American families who are just trying to recover from the broken economic policies of the past. History shows us that well-designed tax reform and tax cuts generate more economic activity, more income and more revenues for the federal government. In this regard, a recent study by the Department of Treasury (the folks who implement tax policy) shows that our new 21st century tax code will generate reduced federal deficits of approximately $300 billion over the next 10 years. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, safety net programs, etc. will not be adversely impacted by the new tax code. There are numerous other positive provisions of the new tax code that we could discuss. However, I want to focus on one that is important to higher education in our Central Texas region the tax treatment of tuition discounts and waivers for graduate students. In this regard, I am pleased to report that throughout the legislative process of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, my team and I worked diligently on behalf of graduate students to preserve provisions that protect beneficial tax treatment for waived and discounted tuition incentives. We were successful in our efforts and the new tax code includes the beneficial tax treatment currently enjoyed by graduate students. The newly signed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will pave the way for economic gains across all sectors of our economy, jump-start wage growth and allow all Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money in their paychecks. It is a much-needed, fresh opportunity for hardworking American families across Texas and throughout the United States. To view this column as publishedCLICK HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-year-review,Q&A: Year in Review,2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What was the most significant achievement of the U.S. Senate in 2017? A: When the first session of the 115th Congress gaveled to order last January 3, I took the oath of office to serve Iowans for a seventh term in the U.S. Senate. It is an honor I take very seriously. Thats why I work tirelessly to uphold the public trust, including face-to-face dialogue with Iowans at my 99 county meetings and holding government accountable to preserve the personal freedoms and individual liberties guaranteed by our constitutional republic. When the Republican Senate Majority organized its leadership assignments for the new Congress, I was selected again to serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This permanent, standing committee has broad legislative jurisdiction over federal criminal law, victims rights, immigration, intellectual property, anti-trust policy and whistleblower protections. It serves as ground zero for proposed Constitutional Amendments and considers nominations for Article III federal judgeships, including the Supreme Court of the United States. In fact, steering judicial nominations through the U.S. Senate certainly is one of the signature accomplishments of the 115th Congress. Under my guidance as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the U.S. Senate approved 12 circuit court nominees to serve on the federal bench and confirmed Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. The federal judiciary leaves a lasting imprint on society, as it is called upon to interpret the laws passed by Congress and administered by the executive branch. Its rulings have a profound effect on our American way of life that stand to sever or secure the blessings of freedom for generations to come. As an outspoken advocate for transparency and open government, I continue my efforts to open the federal judiciary to allow cameras in the courtroom. Opening the courthouse to live audio-visual streaming would build better appreciation for an independent federal judiciary assigned to preserve the constitutional rights of the American people. Allowing cameras in the courts would provide a vital connection for people who arguably may feel disconnected from this branch of the federal government. Landmark decisions handed down by the Supreme Court, such as prayer in schools, segregation, abortion, free speech, privacy, personal property, affirmative action, due process and the right to bear arms have consequential impact on daily life in the United States. Supreme Court precedent also has established equal protection under the law and determined no one is above the law. The federal judiciary serves as the arbiter of the rule of law in the United States. For more than 200 years, it has paved the way for certainty, stability and opportunity in the free marketplace; public safety in the public square; and, freedom and liberty in a just and free society. Approving qualified, independent jurists to the federal bench is vital to the preservation of our republic and vital to secure freedom, liberty and justice for all Americans. Q: What was the signature legislative achievement for Congress in 2017? A: For the first time in more than 30 years, Congress successfully passed historic reforms to the federal tax code. The landmark tax overhaul enacted in December will restore a bigger share of taxpayers hard-earned money to their paychecks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will simplify federal tax returns for millions of Americans and bring fairness to U.S. workers working paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Long-sought reductions to burdensome corporate tax rates will revitalize the U.S. economy by making American businesses and job creators more competitive. It will allow companies to keep more revenue, empowering U.S. businesses to hire more workers, boost wages and grow, innovate and expand. Many Iowans wonder how the new tax law will affect their pay and their household budgets. These historic tax cuts will allow workers to keep more of their hard-earned money, putting more in their pockets to save, spend and invest. Starting in February, workers will see more take-home pay in their paychecks. For the 2018 tax year, American taxpayers will benefit from lower marginal income tax rates, doubling of the standard deduction, increased family tax credits, reduction of the alternative minimum tax, expanded estate tax relief and full repeal of the individual mandate created by the Affordable Care Act. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act keeps the charitable contribution and home mortgage interest deduction and retains the tax benefit for teacher expenses, deductibility for student loan interest and graduate student tuition waivers. Congress delivered on a promise to give Americans tax relief. Im glad we got the job done. Tax cuts will make a real difference for hard-working Iowans who play by the rules to earn a living, pay their bills, build a business and save for retirement. Reducing Uncle Sams share of their paychecks is the right thing to do.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-2017,"Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2017",2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in 2017. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and its an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans. Grassley holds at least one meeting in each of Iowas 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2017, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 37th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda. In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley also attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: county farm bureau meetings, a WOTUS roundtable with Administrator Pruitt, a meeting with biodiesel stakeholders, a tour of the Iowa Veterans Home, an agriculture roundtable with Secretary Perdue, a tax roundtable discussion with local business owners, the Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa Digital Literacy Conference and met with Iowans at the state fair. When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. This Congress, Grassley metwith nearly 950 groups of Iowans visiting the nations capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as anti-opioid addiction legislation, the farm bill, infrastructure, juvenile justice,sentencing reform, expiring tax provisions, the Affordable Care Act and tax reform. Grassley also joined eight Iowa schoolsfor Q&As via video conferencing, including three college classes, threehigh school classes, and two middle school classes. Highlights of Grassleys legislative and oversight work follow here: Accountability for sexual harassment and assault: After years of taking a backseat in societal debate, sexual misconduct has taken center stage and renewed an important conversation on Capitol Hill regarding sexual harassment. Grassley spearheaded the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, which established the congressional Office of Compliance (OOC). The OOC offers sexual harassment prevention training to Senate offices, however it was not mandatory. Grassley wrote a letter to the leaders on Rules and Administration asking that committee to make sexual harassment training mandatory for all Senate offices. Soon after, the resolution offered by Grassley passed unanimously in the Senate, requiring regular training for all senators and employees. Grassley also offered an amendment that recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Agriculture:Changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would have a significant impact on Iowa farmers, the states economy and U.S. trade. Grassley emphasized his support of continuing NAFTA in abipartisan letterto Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, in which he pressed for an in-depth economic analysis to evaluate how changes to NAFTA would affect changes to the nations crop and livestock sectors.Grassley reintroduced the Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017 to reverse a Supreme Court ruling (Hall v. United States) that made it harder for family farmers to reorganize their finances after declaring bankruptcy. The bill was included as part of the supplemental appropriations package and was signed into law by President Trump.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) withdrew two rules related to thePackers and Stockyards Act, commonly referred to as the GIPSA rules. As the only two farmers currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Grassley, along with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.),wrote a letterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to express their disagreement over the agencys decision to withdraw these rules. Grassley also offered legislation toamend thePackers and Stockyards Actto make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed or control livestock intended for slaughter.Grassley introduced theFood Security is National Security Act of 2017, which would give top U.S. agriculture and food officials permanent representation on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). It would also include new agriculture and food-related criteria for CFIUS to consider when reviewing transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign company, ensuring the U.S. has the tools and people it needs to safeguard the nations food security, food safety, biosecurity and bring security to Iowa farmers and the U.S. farm sector as a whole.As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Grassleywrote a letterto the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an update of its 2013 report on farm program eligibility in advance of the next farm bill. In 2014, Grassley led an effort to fix loopholes that allowed farmers to exploit the system by using non-farming family members to receive additional subsidies from the government. Both chambers of Congress passed his bipartisan amendment that included reforms to farm program eligibility, but the amendment was significantly watered down during conference and ultimatelybecame lawas part of the 2014 farm bill. Grassley continues work on this issue in order to help young Iowa farmers who cannot get started in farming because of non-farmers who receive substantial subsidies due to a rigged system.Antitrust: The Senate passed Grassleys Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which would extend whistleblower protections for employees who provide information to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) related to criminal antitrust violations. This is part of Grassleys decades-long effort to protect and empower whistleblowers. The legislation passed the Senate the past two Congresses, but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives.Grassley, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to make strong competition provisions a central part of upcoming trade negotiations.In their letter, Grassley and Goodlatte encouraged the federal antitrust agencies to include a competition chapter in NAFTA to establish a high standard for competition chapters in future trade negotiations.Bureau of Prisons:In 2016, an inspector general review concluded that 157 inmates were erroneously released either before or after their scheduled release dates sometimes by multiple years between 2009 and 2014.In his role as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassleycalled onthe Federal Bureau of Prisons to explain why recommendations aimed at preventing untimely release of federal inmates remain unimplemented.Criminal and Juvenile Justice Reform:Grassley, along with a bipartisan group of senators, reintroducedthe landmarkSentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, which would recalibrate prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, target violent and career criminals and save taxpayer dollars.The bill would allow increased judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and help inmates successfully re-enter society. It would also tighten penalties for violent criminals and preserve key prosecutorial tools for law enforcement.Grassley introduced the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2017. This bill takes steps to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of youth by securing new protections for minors and improve accountability measures in the federal juvenile justice grant program. The Senate unanimously passed this bipartisan bill to improve protections for minors who come into contact with the justice system.Defense oversight:Grassleyled a bipartisan group of senators in aletterto Secretary of Defense James Mattis calling for the DOD to comply with mandatory audits, which are long overdue by the department.DOJ/ FBI: As a watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, Grassley continues staunch oversight of the various investigations being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2017, as well as his efforts to protect whistleblowers by pressing the FBI to explain why it has failed to update its whistleblower policies, employee trainings and internal communications to comply with theFederal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act(FBI WPEA). Grassley introduced the new protections last Congress to bring FBI whistleblower policies in line with other federal agencies. The bipartisan bill was signed into law on December 16, 2016. Additionally, Grassley pressed the DOJ regarding the implementation of whistleblower protections at the FBI, outlining a series of concerns about whistleblower protections that have gone unaddressed despite government reports drawing attention to these problems and recommending changes.Grassleycalled onthe FBI to explain its advance knowledge and any plan to thwart a 2015 terrorist attack in Garland, Texas andpressedfor answers on how an FBI translator wasreportedlyable to travel to Syria and marry the ISIS operative who she was supposed to be investigating.With Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.),John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sheldon Whitehouse(D-R.I.), Grassley introduced the Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017. The legislation would modernize and strengthen criminal laws againstmoney laundering, update criminal money laundering and counterfeiting statutes and promote transparency in the U.S. financial system.Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStrengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017.The legislation wouldauthorize for the first time the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), which provides law enforcement with techniques and best practices for handling digital forensics evidence.Grassley introduced theLawsuit Abuse Reduction Act,legislation that would put in place stricter rules todeter harmful, abusive and frivolous litigation. Drug prices:Grassley continued his ongoing oversight efforts on drug pricing in 2017. He wrote several letters toFood and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb expressing concerns and advocating for legislative solutions to problems on drug pricing and availability of generic prescription medications. Along with Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Grassley wrote aletterto Gottlieb asking him to address anticompetitive practices currently used by some brand-name pharmaceutical companies to delay the manufacture and introduction of generic drugs in the market. In another letter, Grassley called on Gottlieb to examine legislative proposals and collaborate with other government agencies to increase consumer access to affordable prescription medications. He encouraged a review of two bills that he has cosponsored to address anti-competitive behavior by drug makers and enhance market access to less costly generic medications.ThePreserve Access to Affordable Generics Actand the CREATES Act.For months, Grassleypressedfor the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. In January, hesought answersfrom the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether it sought to recoup tax dollars overpaid for EpiPens from drug maker Mylan and added a new request for two additional drugs reportedly misclassified under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Dilaudid and Prilosec. He sentanother letterto CMS later in January, reiterating his initial request for information.Grassleys work was prompted by the news that EpiPen maker Mylan was in discussions with the DOJ to settle a case and repay the taxpayers for over-charging for EpiPen. Grassleys letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program is availablehere.Grassleys January letter to the outgoing administration on the issue is availablehere.Grassley alsowroteto Iowa Attorney General Tom Millerseekingclarification regarding his offices ability to determine the value of reimbursement to the state necessary to make Iowa whole from EpiPens apparent misclassification under Medicaids Drug Rebate Program. A few months later, Grassley followed up with anotherletterseeking additional details and accompanying documentation regarding the states receiving $1.5 million as part of a DOJ settlement with Mylan.In February, Grassley, along with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.),urgedthen-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada under certain circumstances as a remedy to recent drastic drug price increases in the United States.In April, Grassleyaskedhealth insurer CareFirst to explain an apparent practice of charging customers more for receiving a brand name prescription drug than a generic drug when the insurers own doctors explicitly prescribed the brand name drug for medical reasons. Grassley also noted due process concerns about this potential practice if the insurer was not complying with its own policies. He also wrote aletterto Kalo Pharmaceuticals, the maker of epinephrine injector Auvi-Q, to explain its pricing, including which entities in the health care system will pay the cited price of $4,500 for a two-pack when consumers without insurance will pay $360 for the product. Grassley said the pricing of Auvi-Q appears to draw parallels with concern about EpiPens pricing structure. Education:Grassley introduced a series of bills aimed at providing students and their families a better idea of the true costs of higher education and giving them the tools needed to make informed decisions based on tuition costs, financial aid and loan and repayment options. TheNet Price Calculator Improvement Actwould improve the effectiveness and access to net price calculators, tools that provide students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures before they decide where to apply.TheUnderstanding the True Cost of College Actwould create a universal financial aid award letter so that students could easily compare financial aid packages between schools. It would clarify what financial aid families would receive from a school and create standard terms for the aid offered so that students could accurately compare offers from different schools.TheKnow Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Actwould increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before rather than after signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam.Additionally, Grassley and fellow legislators have worked with federal agencies to clarify that nonprofit lenders, including state-run or state-chartered organizations, can use tax-exempt bonds for student loan refinancing. Along with 14 fellow senators, Grassleyurgedthe IRS and Treasury Department to make technical clarifications to rules on refinancing options for student debt. Grassley also offered a resolution designating March 3, 2017 as""National Speech and Debate Education Day,"" which passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Energy:As a champion of renewable fuels and an all-of-the-above American energy policy, Grassley continued his extensive work to enact responsible energy policies in 2017. Grassley introduced theAmerican Renewable Fuel and Job Creation Act of 2017,legislation that wouldextend the biodiesel tax credit, a clean-fuel incentive, for three years and reform the incentive by transferring the credit from the blenders to the producers of biofuels. The switch would ensure that the tax credit incentivizes domestic production and taxpayers arent subsidizing imported fuel. Much of Grassleys 2017 energy agenda focused on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Grassley worked extensively with Senate colleagues, President Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find ways forward on renewable energies and fulfill congressional intent on the RFS. Under new proposed rules, Americas commitment to biofuels would have been decreased,resulting in less renewable fuels being blended. In aletterearlier this year, Grassley and a bipartisan group of 23 senators urged President Trumpto maintain the point of obligation under the RFS and reject changes that would upend the current successful system. In November, EPA announced it would maintain the point of obligation.Grassley also sent aletterto EPA Administrator Pruitt asking him to supporta strong RFS as the agency worked toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS. The letter urged the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress and the release of a strong final rule that would give consumers more choices at the pump, strengthen the economy and make the country more secure.Grassley continued to put pressure on the EPA by joining Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and a bipartisan group of 29 senators in aletterurging the agency to increase its proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biodiesel. The move would encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nations energy supply.Grassley joinedaletterled by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to Pruitt asking him to examine a burdensome regulation that makes it more difficult to sell gasoline with ethanol content above 10 percent, such as E15, year-round. Grassley raised the issue to Pruitts attention when hosting a meeting with him and several senators from ethanol-producing states in January.Grassleyraised concernstoEnergy Secretary Rick Perry regarding a study he directed that appeared geared toward undermining the wind energy industry. The study was meant to explore issues central to protecting the long-term reliability of the electricity grid, including an investigation of market-distorting federal policies that create acute and chronic problems for maintaining adequate baseload generation and have impacted reliable generators of all types. Grassley asked a series of questions about the study, including which organizations that analyze grid reliability and security would be involved, whether a contractor would conduct it, the cost to taxpayers and whether stakeholders would be able to comment on a draft.Grassley and other Midwestern senatorsreceived several assurances in a letterfrom Pruitt ensuring that the EPA would not follow through on a proposal that would have undermined the integrity of the RFS. The letter from Pruitt can be foundhere.This came after Grassley led several letters and meetings on the issue. Grassley led a bipartisan group of senatorsurgingU.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to work with the Brazilian government to end a recently reinstated 20 percent tariff on ethanol imports in excess of 600 million liters (158 million gallons) annually. The United States is the primary exporter of ethanol into Brazil. U.S. producers called Brazils tariff plan a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs. Federal Judiciary:Grassley presided over a historic year of federal judicial nominations and confirmations. Beginning with the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Grassley rigorously vetted and reviewed judicial nominations to ensure our federal judges will read the law as written, not legislate from the bench based on policy preferences. President Trump has endeavored to nominate strict constructionist and constitutionalist judges that understand the role of the judiciary. Under Grassleys leadership, the committee oversaw the nomination and confirmation of a record 12 appeals court judges in 2017, more than in any first of a presidency since the inception of federal appeals courts in 1891. These confirmations will have an important impact on our country not just for the rest of this Congress or presidency, but for decades to come. Foster youth, adoption, missing children, families and elder care:Throughout his career, Grassley has been a staunch advocate for children and families. He continued his work on these issues in 2017 by introducing a number of bills aimed at protecting special needs children, preventing elder abuse, encouraging elder independence and funding programs to improve family health. Grassley introduced theStrong Families Act of 2017,legislation which would re-authorize the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a program that provides grants to states, territories and tribal entities to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary programs to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and promote child development and school readiness.In honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety, Grassley reintroduced Kevin and Avonte's Law. The legislation would help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimers disease, autism and related conditions. It would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering. This bipartisan bill unanimously passed in the Senate.Grassley introduced theACE Kids Act of 2017, legislation that would improve the Medicaid program by more efficiently coordinating care for children with complex medical conditions within the system, ensuring positive outcomes while reducing costs.A strong advocate for fostering and adoption programs, Grassley introduced theFoster Youth Independence Act of 2017,which wouldamend a part of theSocial Security Actto allow the chief executive officer of a state to certify that the state will provide assistance and services under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to young adults who have aged out of foster care but are under the age of 23.Grassley also introduced theFostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2017,legislation which would grantpriority preference for federal housing assistance to foster youth who are aging out of care and allow youth in foster care to apply for housing assistance at the age of 16, prior to aging out.Focusing on the health and well-being of Americas senior citizens, Grassley introduced theCommunity-based Independence for Seniors Act, legislation that would allow older Americans to receive individualized care that would help them continue to stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes.Grassley also introduced the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which became law in October. The law enhances enforcement against perpetrators of crimes targeting senior citizens. Specifically, it increases training for federal investigators and prosecutors and calls for the designation of at least one prosecutor in each federal judicial district who will be tasked with handling cases of elder abuse.It also ensures that the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection and the DOJ will both have an elder justice coordinator and increases penalties for perpetrators.Grassleysought informationfrom a Florida assisted living facility about criminal charges filed against an employee alleging she violated the privacy of two residents using Snapchat. The case is ONE OF the latest examples of exploitive videos or photos involving elder care facilities on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.Along with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Grassley sent aletterto the DOJ asking for an explanation regarding penalties against an Iowa nursing home that was ordered closed and to pay $100,000 to federal taxpayers over grossly substandard care that was essentially without value. Grassley and Ernst said the Abbey of Le Mars was on a federal watch list for two years during the Obama Administration because of concerns about care. Grassley also offered a resolutionrecognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster-care system, and encourage Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster-care system. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Fraud fighting:Grassley joined Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) in introducing the bipartisanSaving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act,legislation that was included in the recently passed NDAA legislation and signed into law by President Trump. The legislation will help prevent charge card misuse and abuse by requiring agencies to take a series of steps to strengthen accountability and oversight over purchases made using federal government charge cards.Good Government/Transparency:Grassley introduced the American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes as well as respond to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the GAO of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review.Grassley sent many oversight letters in support of whistleblowers and increased transparency in government. Grassley led a bipartisan group of 11 senators on the Whistleblower Protection Caucus in a letter to 19 federal agencies calling on government leaders to promote a culture that welcomes whistleblower disclosures and condemns attacks on whistleblower rights. Grassley also sent a letter to Acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Christopher Giancarlo, requesting a formal briefing of CFTCs efforts to address the systemic weaknesses of internal data security policies and procedures, as well as efforts to eliminate whistleblower reprisal.In his continuing effort to drain the swamp, Grassley excoriated the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)in its attempt to insulate unelected government bureaucrats from questions by the peoples elected representatives in Congress and called on President Trump to rescind the OLC opinion. In his letter, Grassley laid out the constitutional case for every member of Congress to exercise their powers of inquiry and oversight of the executive bureaucracy, regardless of committee membership or chairmanship. He emphasized the importance of oversight and inquiry regardless of partisan affiliation.GrassleyurgedtheOffice of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump Administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available. Grassley made asimilar requestof the Obama Administration in 2009.Those waivers were ultimately published on OGEs website following Grassleys request. Grassley also sent letters to the Department of Health and Human Services, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding issues relating to wasteful government spending by bureaucrats and government efficiency and accountability. Grassley introduced the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017, legislation which would end the practice of creating new federal red tape outside of the public rulemaking process, shine a light on sue-and-settle litigation and restore the transparency, public scrutiny and judicial review protections of the rulemaking process.Grassley also introduced the bipartisanCameras in the Courtroom Act of 2017, legislation whichwould require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court, unless the Court decides, by a majority vote of the Justices, that doing so would constitute a violation of the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court. Grassley offered two resolutions pertaining to documents about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which were being held by the National Archives and Records Administration. The first urged the National Archives and Records Administration to publicly release records detailing the assassination, the second commending the National Archives and Records Administration and its staff for working to comply with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 and release all records related to the assassination. Grassley also offered a resolution designating the week beginning October 15, 2017, as ""National Character Counts Week,"" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Health care:Grassley introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which became law as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act. The bicameral measure requires the FDA to write regulations ensuring that the new category of over-the-counter hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost.Along with Sens. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Grassley reintroduced thePharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation which would encourage pharmacists to serve older Americans in communities lacking easy access to doctors or where pharmacists are more convenient to visit for certain services than doctors.Grassley also reintroduced theProvider Payment Sunshine Act, legislation that would require drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose their payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting and other interactions. The disclosures already apply to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists under thePhysician Payment Sunshine Act, co-authored by Grassley and enacted in 2010.Along with Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Grassley introduced theReducing Drug Waste Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation which wouldrequire the FDA to coordinate with CMS to develop a joint action plan to reduce waste generated by single use drug vials and better manage costs with respect to drug vial sizes and other drug delivery systems, such as eye-drops.In his continued support for rural health care, Grassley introduced theRural Hospital Access Act of 2017,which would permanently extend key Medicare rural hospital programs critical to five Iowa hospitals and many others around the country. He also reintroduced theRural Emergency Acute Care Hospital (REACH) Act, which would help rural hospitals stay open while meeting the needs of rural residents for emergency room care and outpatient services.Grassley, along with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), reintroduced theMedicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would apply accreditation and other standards for orthotics and prosthetics, such as prosthetic limbs, under Medicare, helping to guarantee access to quality products for beneficiaries.Housing:Grassleycontinued hisoversightof TARPs Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a $9.6 billion program that began in 2010 to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis.Wasteful spending of these funds by state agencies persisted unchecked for many years of the Obama Administration, and the need for accountability remains. In a continuation of Grassleys request to audit state agency expenses, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) isreviewingstate agency spending on travel, conferences and other administrative spending. Grassley alsopressedthe Treasury Department on why it has recovered only one percent $113,592 of $11 million wasted on restaurant meals, employee gifts and a $500-per-month company Mercedes from the HHF.Grassleyaskedthe Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and newly-confirmed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to explain potentially excessive travel and conference expenses by the housing authority, including that the executive director reportedly has spent 158 days over four years attending conferences.Grassley alsocalled onthe HUD Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to complete its investigation into the mismanagement at the Alexander County Housing Authority (ACHA) in Cairo, Illinois, and make its findings public. Grassley met with Secretary Carson prior to his confirmation, at which time he raised concerns about millions of dollars of wasteful spending at HUD. In an effort to assist public housing authorities (PHAs), the federal government allows PHAs to establish nonprofit affiliates through which development activities are conducted. However, PHAs throughout the country often use taxpayer dollars to fund personal priorities and feather their own nests rather than to provide safe, affordable housing for those in need. Grassleywroteto Secretary Carson concerning the agencys two failed projects to update its financial management system. HUD spent 14 years and more than $131 million only to pull the plug on both projects prior to completion.Illegal and illicit drugs: Along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Grassley re-introduced the Protecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act, legislation that would increase the criminal penalties for marketing candy-flavored drugs to appeal to children.It would provide an enhanced penalty when a person manufactures, creates, distributes, dispenses or possesses with intent to distribute a controlled substance combined with a beverage or candy product, marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product, or modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product.Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues (SITSA) Act of 2017,which would allow substances that are substantially similar to controlled drugs to be rapidly regulated without additional time-consuming testing and analysis. Grassley also led a group of senators in a call for the Trump Administration to prioritize the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The letter cited the previous success of the office in preventing use of illicit drugs in American communities. This important effort has only increased in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic across the country.As part of that ongoing effort to fight opioid abuse, Grassley joined a bipartisan group of legislators in a letter U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking him to provide Congress with information detailing how the DOJ is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic.Along with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Grassley urged the Office of National Drug Control Policy to include an evaluation of drug take back programs in the final report of the Presidents Commission on Combatting Opioid Abuse, correcting a shortcoming in the interim report. At Grassley and Ernsts request, the GAO is studying the DEAs implementation of the law allowing local pharmacies to accept unused controlled substances for public convenience, amid concerns that regulations present barriers to participation.Immigration and Visas: Grassley introduced the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act, legislation which would protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The bill contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbins (D-Ill.) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which would protect DACA recipients from deportation. Its also a significant step forward on the path to immigration reform.Grassley reintroduced the Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act, legislation that would require federal immigration authorities to take action against undocumented immigrants arrested for driving under the influence. Grassley first introduced the bill last year followingseveral tragediesinvolving immigrants who were arrested for drunk driving, including one incident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root.Grassley wrote oversight letters to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,acting director of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly,the Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a wide range of issues related to visas and immigration. Several letters focused on obtaining information regarding theDiversity Visa program,the process by which DHS reviews theTemporary Protected Status(TPS) designation, and theO visa program. Grassley also raised questions about theForeign Agents Registration Act(FARA) andH-2Bforeign worker andEB-5investor visa programs. Law enforcement: In honor of the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in law enforcement, Grassley introduced a resolution designating the week of May 15 through May 21, 2017, as ""National Police Week,"" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. The Public Safety Officers Benefits Improvement Act, which became law in June, helps families of fallen first responders receive the survivor benefits theyd been promised. Congress established the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who die in the line of duty. Grassleys oversight revealed, however, that many of these survivors were waiting years to receive their benefits. His legislation will reduce this wait time and provide greater accountability in the process.Thousands of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) officers tasked with hunting down dangerous fugitives are relying on expired protective and trauma gear and insufficient training, according to information obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite repeated warnings about the increased risks to employees and public statements prioritizing safety, agency leadership has reportedly failed to follow through with critical steps to ensure officers are appropriately trained and equipped to carry out often-dangerous duties. In two separate letters to USMS leadership, Grassley called on the agency to explain how the lapses were allowed to occur.National Security:Along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Grassley urged the Trump Administration to put American victims of terrorism first by securing a binding commitment from Sudan to compensate for its historical support of international terrorism that has killed and injured Americans serving abroad. In a jointletterto Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the chairmen called on the Administration, as a condition of lifting any terrorism-related sanctions, to accept nothing less than a binding commitment from the government of Sudan to resolve or settle the terrorism judgments entered against it in U.S. courts and meet its obligations to compensate American victims. Taxes: Asa senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, Grassley was instrumental in the crafting and passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was signed into law by President Trump. Two Grassley-led amendments were included in the bills final passage. The first amendment regards increasing the time period in which taxpayers may seek to have proceeds from the sale of wrongfully levied property returned to them.The IRS is authorized to levy on property to satisfy a tax debt in certain instances. While the IRS is authorized to return property at any time, it is only authorized to return the monetary proceeds from a sale for up to nine months from the date of the levy. Similarly, if a third party believes the property levied or seized belongs to him/her and not the person against whom the tax is assessed, the third party generally only has nine months from the time of the levy to bring an administrative wrongful-levy action to seek the return of monetary proceeds. In many cases the nine-month period is insufficient for individuals and third parties to discover a wrongful or mistaken levy and seek to remedy it. This amendment extends from nine months to two years the time period that individuals and third parties have to seek the return of proceeds on the sale of wrongfullylevied property. The second amendment included in theTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017expands provisions relating to the nondeductibility of fines and penalties to prohibit a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred to, or at the direction of, any governmental entity relating to the violation of any law or the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation of law. It exempts from such prohibition: (1) restitution or amounts paid to come into compliance with any law that was violated or otherwise involved in the investigation or inquiry, (2) amounts paid pursuant to a court order in a suit in which the governmental entity was not a party, and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. Grassley also reintroduced theTaxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2017, comprehensive legislation which would improve customer service at the IRS, create new taxpayer protections and update and strengthen existing taxpayer protections.Trade:With Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Grassley introducedthe United States Foreign Investment Review Act,which would to review foreign investments in the United States to ensure they are in the long-term economic interests of the U.S.Grassley joineda bipartisan group of 37 senatorsurgingUSDA to push the Chinese government to end its ban on the sale of American poultry products. The ban was instituted by China in 2015 due to the detection of a wild duck with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influence (HPAI) and continues to be enforced today, in contradiction of World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards.Victims reform: Grassley introduced and the Senate unanimously passed, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017. The bipartisan legislation would renew existing programs that make federal resources available to human trafficking survivors and establish new prevention, prosecution and collaboration initiatives to help bring the perpetrators to justice. Grassley led 22 Senate colleagues incalling on the U.S. Supreme Courtto review a federal appeals court decision undermining the ability of U.S. victims of international terrorism to seek justice.The appeals courts decision effectively nullified theAntiterrorism Act of 1992, a law passed by Congressand championed by Grassleyspecifically to protect Americans abroad and to provide victims with a tool to bring terrorists to justice in U.S. courts. Grassley offered two resolutions in support of victims reform. The first was a resolution supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week in 2017, which includes increasing public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims and survivors of crime in the United States. The second was a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of survivors of domestic violence, and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable. Both resolutions passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Whistleblowers: Grassley, along with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.),introduced theWhistleblower Protection Coordination Act. The legislation would permanently extend the program requiring a dedicated official in each inspector general office focused on whistleblower protection issues. Grassley sent several oversight letters to the DOJ and the DEA requesting information on issues such as why it took the DOJs inspector generals office nearly five years to complete an investigation into the Osorio and Barba trafficking rings. He pressed for answers regarding unaccountability in addressing sexual misconduct and harassment in the DOJ, and inquired about what steps the agency has taken to address the problem. With McCaskill, Grassley also pressed the Missouri National Guard for answers on what it will do to address findings that one of its contractors retaliated against contractor employee Michael Sandknop after he made disclosures that were protected under whistleblower statutes. Grassley, along with Wyden, introduced the bipartisanIRS Whistleblower Improvements Act of 2017,legislation that would improve IRS communication with tax fraud whistleblowers and protect those whistleblowers from workplace retaliation. The bill is based on the Grassley-Wyden amendment included in theTaxpayer Protection Act of 2016.The Taxpayer Protection Act, along with the Grassley-Wyden amendment, passed the Finance Committee in April 2016 but was never considered by the full Senate. In honor of the critical service whistleblowers provide for good governance and our nation, Grassley introduced a resolution designating July 30, 2017, as ""National Whistleblower Appreciation Day,"" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-recaps-this-years-results-previews-2018-on-fox-news,"Senator David Perdue Recaps This Years Results, Previews 2018 on Fox News",2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet David Connect Helping You News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=CA831D75-7491-4FA2-82DB-63A441269720,Rubio Statement on Protests in Iran,2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,FL,Marco Rubio,R000595,www.rubio.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued a statement on continuing protests in Iran: All nations must hold the regime in Tehran fully accountable for any suppression of peaceful demonstrators in Iran. The Iranian people have a right to peacefully protest the regimes rampant corruption, and to call for a truly representative government that protects human rights, upholds the impartial rule of law, and seeks peace with all of its neighbors.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/operation-christmas-thanking-our-troops-afghanistan-kuwait-jordan,"Operation Christmas: Thanking Our Troops in Afghanistan, Kuwait, & Jordan",2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"It was an honor to have just spent my third consecutive Christmas in the Middle East with our nations troops and diplomats stationed overseas. In 2015, I joined our service members in Iraq and Kuwait, and in 2016, I visited them in Afghanistan and Qatar. This past Christmas, I traveled to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Jordan. It is not easy for our deployed men and women to spend the holiday season several thousands of miles away from home, having great family and friends missing them around the Christmas Tree or Hanukkah Menorah. For many of our deployed military and diplomatic personnel, this isnt their first holiday season away from their loved ones. It is my highest honor to be able to personally thank all of them for their tremendous sacrifice on behalf of a very grateful nation. Serving them their Christmas Day meals, letting them know how much they are appreciated, and receiving their critical feedback from the ground, is the absolute least I can do to make sure they know how much countless Americans are thinking about them, praying for them, and filled with enormous gratitude for their incredible sacrifice. Each and every time I visit our troops abroad, I return with some of the greatest memories of my life and critical knowledge to guide my decisions throughout the halls of Congress. It is the brave men and women I have had the honor to meet over the last three Christmases that further cement my commitment to ensuring our nations troops have everything they need to safety and effectively do their jobs and return home. Congressman Zeldin celebrates Christmas with NY-1 resident and Marine Corporal Maria Ripis of Farmingville who is stationed at Al Jaber Airbase in Kuwait. In this years National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I voted for a 2.4% pay raise for our troops, their biggest pay raise in 8 years. Additionally, this years NDAA included a much needed strengthening of cyber operations, funding Department of Defense (DOD) cyber operations at $8 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion from last year. Investing in cybersecurity tools ensures that our troops have the 21st century resources they need to combat ever-evolving terror threats at home and abroad. Furthermore, this year, I voted for the Make America Secure Appropriations Act, which provides a total of $658.1 billion for the DOD, including critical resources to defeat ISIS and other terrorist groups. Our nations servicemen and women on the ground put their lives on the line each and every day for the freedoms and liberties that make this country the greatest in the world and they deserve nothing less than our full support. However, our commitment to our troops continues after they leave the battlefield. When they return home, we must ensure they have our full support in transitioning back into civilian life. In September, I reaffirmed my commitment to ending veteran homelessness, by introducing legislation that helps decrease veteran homelessness through continued funding of the Supportive Services Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Ensuring our homeless veterans have shelter and a safe place to live should never be a partisan issue. Even one homeless veteran is too many. Throughout my time in Congress, one of my top priorities has been ensuring our nations disabled veterans receive the health care they have earned. In 2017, my legislation to expand care for disabled veterans on Long Island and across the country passed both the House and Senate and hopefully will soon become law. My legislation ensures disabled veterans receive the best and most efficient outpatient services to provide them with the assistance and special attention they need in their day-to-day lives, while still allowing them to maintain their independence through access to Adult Day Health Care. These programs allow veterans to lead a much more fulfilling life and helps keep families together and strong while simultaneously reducing overall health care costs for the veteran. These brave men and women answered the call to service and repeatedly put their lives at risk to support and defend our Constitution and ensure the safety and security of our country. I will never stop fighting for our nations veterans, our troops on-the-ground, and the families back home who eagerly await their safe return. They have earned nothing less.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-statement-iranian-anti-government-protests,Rep. Zeldin Statement on Iranian Anti-Government Protests,2017-12-30,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the anti-government protests breaking out across Iran: The Iranian people are fed up with Irans dictatorial regimes brutal domestic tactics, dangerous foreign policy, and non-existent economic progress. Instead of caring for its own people, the Iranian regime has dedicated itself to maintaining its title as the worlds largest state sponsor of terror, seeking to appease domestic hardliners that keep them in power. As everyday Iranians pour into the streets outraged over their governments misplaced priorities, the U.S. must support them in their inherent right and noble quest for a better future and free, peaceful nation. We have been down this road before. We must learn our lesson from 2009 and not repeat the same mistake. Millions of Iranians are desperate right now for American leadership to help them turn the tide in Tehran and all throughout Iran.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://billjohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399319,House Republicans made good on tax reform promise,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,OH,Bill Johnson,J000292,billjohnson.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Republicans promised we would send tax reform legislation to President Trumps desk for his signature in 2017. We delivered! Despite what you may have heard from the mainstream media, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will benefit all Americans and their families. For the first time since 1986 over 30 years real tax relief and reform is being delivered to you, the American people. Many have asked me,What does this legislation mean to my family and me?Heres my answer this legislation means: higher wages; lower taxes; bigger take-home paychecks starting in February; job growth; a simpler and fairer tax system; and, a stronger economy all across our nation. There are real, tangible benefits for the hardworking men and women of Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, and its one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress has passed in decades. Why did I support the Tax Cut and Jobs Act? Its simple I believe you know how to spend your money better than Washington elites and bureaucrats do. So, were giving your money back to you. And, one reason so many Big Government politicians, bureaucrats and elites are upset about this tax reform legislation is that too many in Washington view it as their money. Reducing taxes at all levels of income will stimulate the economy, both from the top down (allowing more investment in business and job creation) and from the bottom up (giving hardworking Americans more choices, more opportunities, and more purchasing power). Its a return to the same simple private sector, free enterprise, market driven philosophy that has built the greatest nation on the planet. Would you like to file your federal taxes on a single page? Now, most Americans will be able to do just that. In Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, nearly 85 percent of families take the standard deduction. But, the new law nearly doubles the standard deduction, raising it to $24,000 for married couples and $13,000 for individual filers. That means more of your money is tax free. And, families will see their Child Tax Credit doubled to $2,000 per child providing extra money for food, diapers, a car repair, and other unexpected expenses that pop-up. If you have expensive medical bills, the new tax law expands your medical deduction if your doctor bills exceed 7.5 percent of your income. Additionally, important deductions for home mortgage interest, charitable donations, 401(k) contributions, and property, state, local, or sales tax remain. Its important to note that investments in education will also be protected. I heard from many of you regarding this issue and how vital it is. Student loan interest will continue to be deductible. Tax-free stipends for graduate students and tuition waivers will be maintained, and families will now be able to use up to $10,000 from 529 college savings accounts on primary and secondary education. Equally important, our tax reform legislation repealed Obamacares burdensome individual mandate. Across America, nearly 80 percent of the households that paid this tax last year had incomes less than $50,000. You may have been one of them. Well, no more because this onerous individual mandate is gone. Plus, the tax burden in every individual tax bracket has been reduced. Everyone who pays taxes will be keeping more of their money. For our job creators, small businesses will be offered a first-ever 20 percent tax deduction to all S Corps, Partnerships, LLCs and Sole Proprietorships. Where the old tax code punished their success, the new tax code will reward their success, and theyll be encouraged to expand and grow. Additionally, some American corporations left our shores over the last two decades because our old corporate tax rate of 35 percent the highest in the industrialized world made them non-competitive in the global economy. The new corporate tax rate of 21 percent thats effective immediately makes America competitive again and we are open for business. Poorly conceived Washington policies of the past cost American jobs but, not any more. Tax reform was one of the main reasons why I decided to run for Congress in 2010, and this is something Ive been working for ever since. Its a new dawn in America, because The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will empower individuals, families, and businesses to invest and succeed in the American Dream. U.S. House of Representative Bill Johnson represents Ohios 6th Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=398539,Burgess Releases 2017 Year End Report,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,Michael Burgess,B001248,burgess.house.gov,,,legacy,"Lake Dallas, T.X. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after publishing his 2017 Year End Report detailing key accomplishments and services for the 26th District. I commenced the 115th Congress with great hope for what we could accomplish for North Texas families in 2017. Reflecting on the last year, it is clear we have achieved several legislative victories and made significant strides in areas where work remains. From committee hearings to town halls, case work to media interviews, I am committed to serving the 26th District to the best of my ability. Since the start of my service in Congress, I have prioritized communicating with residents of the 26th District. This report is one way to hold myself accountable to my constituents, and I hope they will review it and let me know how I can best serve them and their families as we look ahead to 2018. The complete 2017 Year End Report is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399003,Blaines Bulletin: Looking Back on 2017,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Looking back on 2017, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress and all of the incredibly memorable moments that took place here in the 3rd District and in Washington. share: f t Looking back on 2017, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress and all of the incredibly memorable moments that took place here in the 3rd District and in Washington. The year kicked off with President Trumps inauguration. It was great to see so many Missourians travel to Washington for the historic event. Shortly after, President Trump made one of his biggest announcements of the past year when he nominated Neil Gorsuch to serve as the next Supreme Court justice. I firmly believe Judge Gorsuch holds the same conservative values we in Missouri do, and he understands the role of the Supreme Court is to enforce the law, not create it from the bench. On August 21, Missourians witnessed a once in a generation event: the solar eclipse. The last time the United States witnessed a total eclipse was in 1979. Now an entire generation of Americans have experienced this phenomenon and have their own stories to share with family and friends for years to come. The solar eclipse not only brought worldwide attention to Mid-Missouri, it also highlighted all that our state has to offer. Over the last year, the House has made historic use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a tool that gives Congress the power to invalidate a rule or regulation from the executive branch within 60 days of it being issued. I am pleased to report the House passed 15 CRAs and President Trump signed 11 of those into law. The White House estimated that by repealing those 11 regulations alone we will save $10 billion over 20 years. One example is the Social Security Services Second Amendment restrictions. Earlier this year, Congress overturned an Obama-era rule that would increase scrutiny on up to 4.2 million law-abiding Americans attempting to purchase firearms, potentially depriving people of their constitutional rights. Just recently President Trump visited St. Charles to speak directly to Missourians about the importance of tax reform and how it will directly benefit you. While he was here we saw just how much people not the press or politicians, but everyday people want and need to keep more of their money. It is that support that moved the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act through Congress to the Presidents desk and into law and capped off the year in a very positive way. As we go into 2018 Missourians will start seeing more money in their paychecks and growth in the economy across the country. If anyone has any questions regarding tax reform, please give any of my offices a call so we can assist you. Clearly it was an exciting year, and these examples only scratch the surface of what took place over the 365 days. I look forward to getting back to work in 2018 and accomplishing more goals of the 3rd District. Serving the more than 750,000 Missourians in the 3rd District is an true honor. I look forward to hearing from you in the new year!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398684,"Rep. Royce Op-Ed in the OC Register: After taking Backpage money, Nancy Pelosi needs to make things right",2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CA,Edward Royce,R000487,royce.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, penned the following op-ed for the Orange County Register calling on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to return campaign donations from a former owner of Backpage.com a website which knowingly facilitated prostitution and sex trafficking of children: Orange County Register After taking Backpage money, Nancy Pelosi needs to make things right By: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce December 28, 2017 At best, Nancy Pelosis October 2016 acceptance of a $10,000 check from James Larkin, a co-owner of Backpage.com, was extremely careless. At worst, she knew and didnt care. Either way, its time for Pelosi to do the right thing and finally wash her hands of this dirty money. Backpage.com has long been one of the most evil sites on the internet. For years, it knowingly facilitated prostitution and sex trafficking of children. Backpage was purposely filtering out certain words in web ads to help traffickers evade authorities. Now, as this has come to light, Backpage is facing increasing pressure from law enforcement agencies across the country. In fact, just one week before donating to Pelosis Super PAC, Larkin was charged in California on conspiracy to commit pimping. Larkin still faces counts of money laundering, and is surely hoping Backpages $200,000 in contributions to Democrats will give him political protection. Thats why Pelosis refusal to unequivocally renounce Backpage by donating or returning this money is so troubling. There are many California victims rights groups that could do a lot of good with $10,000. Because the truth is were still far from putting an end to this form of modern slavery. Despite some important progress, human trafficking is still considered the fastest-growing crime in the world. Tens of millions of lives have been devastated around the globe including far too many right here in Southern California. As representative to Californias 39th District, Im proud to help lead the fight to protect our most vulnerable. In 2013, I launched a human trafficking advisory committee comprised of victims rights groups, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and community advocates to better share information and coordinate on solutions. Later that year, we held a field hearing at Cal State Fullerton for the public to hear directly from victims. And our work continues. Two months ago, we again hosted a training seminar for local hotel managers and owners to help them better prepare their staff to identify the signs of human trafficking and to report it. Of course, each of us can play a role too. At airports, hotels and other transit hubs, human trafficking victims might lack clothing to match weather conditions, appear distressed and significantly younger than the individual they are traveling with. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, do not hesitate to call 911. In the Capitol, Im leveraging my role as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee to help empower our law enforcement agencies to stop these criminals cold in their tracks. Im an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. This legislation, which recently moved one step closer to a vote on the House floor, provides prosecutors with new tools to bring online actors like Backpage who knowingly facilitate human and sex trafficking to justice. Additionally, my committee earlier this month passed legislation I authored targeting forced labor profits estimated at $150 billion annually that are being laundered far too easily in this digital age. H.R. 2219, the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act, provides law enforcement new tools to cut off human traffickers from our banking system, and joins a series of bills my committee has passed to combat these horrific crimes. Americans today are divided on many political issues. But human trafficking and sex trafficking shouldnt be one of them. We should all be able to agree that more needs to be done to help end human trafficking. And we should all be able to agree that keeping money from child sex traffickers is wrong. I hope Nancy Pelosi will choose to make things right. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Yorba Linda, represents the 39th Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-rep-andy-biggs-i-kept-my-campaign-promises-introducing-or-sponsoring-these,OP-ED: Rep. Andy Biggs: I kept my campaign promises by introducing or sponsoring these bills,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1626 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-honored-fighting-cruel-animal-experiments,Buchanan Honored for Fighting Cruel Animal Experiments,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,FL,Vern Buchanan,B001260,buchanan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Tests Induce Painful Heart Attacks in Puppies and Nicotine Addiction in Baby Monkeys WASHINGTONCongressman Vern Buchanan has been honored as a Congressional Waste Warrior by a national group dedicated to ending inhumane taxpayer-funded experiments on dogs, cats and other animals. Congressman Vern Buchanan is an outstanding champion for taxpayers and animals, said Justin Goodman, vice president of advocacy and public policy at White Coat Waste Project. Were proud to recognize Rep. Buchanans strong leadership to end billions in wasteful government spending on animal experiments that are ineffective, cruel and most Americans oppose, including maximum pain heart attack tests on puppies and nicotine addiction tests on baby monkeys. White Coat Waste Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending cruel and wasteful taxpayer-funded experimentation on animals. The bipartisan coalition has nearly half a million grassroots members across the country. Buchanan received the award for his work to fight animal testing at government agencies as well as his support for theFederal Accountability in Chemical Testing (FACT) Act. Some of the most egregious examples of taxpayer-funded animal abuse Buchanan is fighting include: Injecting dogs with methamphetamine then killing the dogs so their brains can be dissected in order to study the response to the drug. Strapping baby monkeys to chairs and addicting them to nicotine, then studying the monkeys response to decreasing levels of nicotine. Performing surgeries to intentionally damage puppy hearts, forcing the puppies to run on treadmills, then killing and dissecting the puppies to study the damaged hearts response. Buchanan said he was honored to receive the award, adding, Most Americans would be horrified to learn that their tax dollars are being wasted on cruel and inhumane experiments on animals. In March 2017, Buchanan urged the inspector general at the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate the use of dogs in experiments at the VA. His request helped expose disturbing experiments on dogs, including inducing heart attacks and brain-damaging surgeries. He is an original cosponsor of theFACT Act, which improves reporting by federal agencies such as the EPA, NIH and USDA on their progress in replacing animal testing with alternative testing methods. Federal law currently requires agencies to minimize animal testing in favor of alternatives like computer modeling, but the agencies are not required to report how many animals are being used in testing or what the animals are used for. Buchanan is the co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, a bipartisan group of more than 100 members of Congress dedicated to preventing animal cruelty, protecting endangered species and advancing animal welfare policies. The congressmans strong record of defending animals includes opposing weaker protections for the Florida manateeand panther, as well as urging the Trump administration to maintain bans on importing trophies from the endangered African lion and elephant. He has also introduced theSafeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, bipartisan legislation that permanently bans the transport of horses to slaughterhouses in Mexico to be sold around the world.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-costello-announces-town-hall-residents-chester-county,REP. COSTELLO ANNOUNCES TOWN HALL FOR RESIDENTS OF CHESTER COUNTY,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"West Chester, PARep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) today announced that as part of his public schedule for the upcoming week, he will host a town hall at the Downingtown West High School on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for check-in. Constituents from Chester County will be given the first opportunity to reserve tickets for the session. Everyone who wants to attend this town hall must registerhereor by calling Rep. Costellos West Chester Office at 610-696-2982 by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2.Confirmation will be issued by Wednesday, January 3. Details: What:Town Hall with Rep. Ryan Costello When:Thursday, Jan. 4; doors open at 5:30 p.m. and event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Where:Downingtown West High School Auditorium 445 Manor Avenue Downingtown PA 19335",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-introduces-bill-to-fix-arc-commodity-support-program,CRAMER INTRODUCES BILL TO FIX ARC COMMODITY SUPPORT PROGRAM,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Download Audio Comments: Click Here WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Kevin Cramer introduced a bill cosponsored by Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) when computing average county yields for the purposes of the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Program. The 2014 Farm Bill included two new programs for covered commodities, Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), allowing the producer to choose once per farm bill which policy they believe would provide the most effective safety net. Unfortunately the design of ARC, and the manner in which USDA implemented the program has created problems for producers, particularly as it relates to inconsistent county yield data. Rather than the current policy of prioritizing inconsistent survey data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Cramers three page bill (H.R.4654) would direct the Secretary to prioritize Risk Management Agency (RMA), or crop insurance, data over all other forms in counties where RMA offers county-wide insurance products, while also allowing the Secretary of Agriculture flexibility for all other instances. Additionally, the legislation codifies USDAs earlier decision to operate the program based on the physical location of the base acres, rather than requiring producers to elect one county for all payments. Even though it is anticipated most producers will utilize Price Loss Coverage going forward, our legislation provides a surgical fix to ARC in case the program is reauthorized in the next Farm Bill, said Cramer. One less headache for North Dakota producers. As Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Im working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve existing farm bill programs. While Ive never been a fan of ARC I do believe we can make improvements to its data sources that will give producers more confidence in the program. This bill is a good starting point for reauthorizing the farm bill next year,said Peterson. Click here to read the bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=495,Grothman Supports Tax Cuts for American Families and Businesses,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WI,Glenn Grothman,G000576,grothman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act to modernize the tax code, make Americas business climate more competitive and deliver tax relief to American families and workers. The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act is good for the American people and encourages a strong economy. I feel the tax cuts in this version of the bill are targeted at the working middle class a change from original proposals and I feel like my voice was heard in making these changes. Im especially happy that House and Senate leaders reinstated the medical expense deduction, a deduction used by folks in the most dire of circumstances. The bill also shifted from a bill that benefited investors to one that more targets working people. The changes in the conference bill regarding state and local taxes will be of particular benefit to Wisconsin taxpayers, and virtually all taxpayers who make less than $100,000 should receive a tax cut. Im glad were standing up to Wall Street hedge managers in this bill by working to close the carried interest loophole. This change is needed in order to ensure that that these managers do not pay a lower rate on their commission income. I look forward to making further changes in this area. Additionally, since I got this job, I have worked to reduce fraud in the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit something this bill also addresses. Above all, the goal of tax reform is to improve the economy by lowering business taxes to stimulate spending and job creation and modernizing our countrys international tax system. Everyone should remember that personal retirement accounts and pensions will also benefit from the passing of this bill as we have already seen in the historic gains of the stock market over the past year in anticipation of passage. It is frustrating that I tried to work with Democrats, especially on the estate tax, to ensure it was as bipartisan a bill as possible. But, I believe many members of the other party just decided to vote no and not be part of the process. Its also especially frustrating that Democrats are critical of lowering the corporate tax rate considering President Obama asked Congress to do just that in 2012, even including a preferential rate for manufacturing. Our current corporate tax rate is the highest in the industrialized world at 35 percent. By lowering it to 21 percent, we make the U.S. more competitive for business. It just goes to show that Democrats are focusing on partisanship over American workers and families. I do hope my Democratic colleagues have a change of heart, and I look forward to working with them on the technical corrections bill which will be taken up in the spring. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed the House by a vote of 227-203. Background The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefits individuals and families by lowering individual taxes and expanding tax brackets; expanding the Child Tax Credit; eliminating the Obamacare individual mandate penalty tax so that families can make the health insurance decisions that are best for them; retaining retirement savings options like 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts; continuing to allow people to write off the cost of state and local taxes up to $10,000; and expanding the medical expense deduction, among other measures to make the tax code simpler and fairer. Additionally, a typical family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of $2,059 with this bill. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefits job creators and stimulates the economy by lowering the corporate tax rate from the highest rate in the industrialized world and making the U.S. more competitive for business; protecting the ability of small businesses to write off interest on loans to help them to expand their businesses; modernizing our international tax system; and preventing American jobs, headquarters and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that reward companies for moving operations overseas, among other measures to put more money back in the pockets of small business owners and make the U.S. business climate more competitive globally. For a detailed summary of whats included in the bill, please click here. To read the text of the bill in its entirety, please click here. ### U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his second term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilson-to-announce-legislative-priorities-during-district-tour,Wilson To Announce Legislative Priorities During District Tour,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,SC,Joe Wilson,W000795,joewilson.house.gov,joewilson,https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson will announce his legislative priorities for 2018 during a tour of the second congressional district on Wednesday, January 3. The schedule for Congressman Wilson's tour is as follows: 10:00 AM: Midlands Office of Congressman Joe Wilson 1700 Sunset Blvd (US 378), Suite 1 West Columbia, S.C. 29169 12:00 PM: Aiken Aiken County Government Center 1930 University Parkway Aiken, S.C. 29801 NOTE: 3rd Floor, Aiken County Council Chambers 1:30 PM: North Augusta North Augusta Municipal Building 100 Georgia Avenue North Augusta, S.C. 29841 NOTE: 3rd Floor, Administration Lobby 3:00 PM: Barnwell Barnwell County Courthouse 141 Main Street Barnwell, S.C. 29812 NOTE: Room #106 if raining",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://pearce.house.gov/press-release/pearce-putting-american-taxpayer-and-economy-first,PEARCE: PUTTING THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER AND ECONOMY FIRST,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NM,Steve Pearce,P000588,pearce.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC (December 29,2017)Congressman Steve Pearce today released the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its decision to rescind their hydraulic fracturing rule in an effort to reduce burdensome federal regulations that hinder energy development and economic growth: I applaud the BLM today for putting the American economy and taxpayer first by rescinding this unnecessary regulation. Many of these Obama-era environmental rules were duplicative in nature and made in order solely to cripple energy production on federal lands. This doesnt better preserve our environment, but cuts off sources of revenues for states like New Mexico who rely on the production and development of resources to support our teachers, infrastructure, and more. From the very beginning, federal courts declared that the BLM did not have the proper authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on public lands. By rescinding the rule altogether, the BLM upholds the rule of law and moves the nation closer towards becoming less reliant on foreign energy production. With that, New Mexico can once again have the opportunity to become a leader in energy development. Background On June 21, 2016, the U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued a final rule blocking the hydraulic fracturing rule from being implemented, stating the BLM doesnt have proper authority to do so without congressional action. This decision by the BLM to publish a final rule rescinding the hydraulic fracturing rule follows Executive Order 13771 that requires agencies to reduce regulatory compliance costs. To view the announcement by BLM on the final rule, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://ratcliffe.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/delivering-tax-relief-northeast-texans,Why I Voted for the Biggest Tax Cuts Since Reagan,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,John Ratcliffe,R000601,ratcliffe.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY REP. JOHN RATCLIFFE (R-TEXAS) Three decades ago, Ronald Reagan delivered our country tax reform that spurred such enormous economic growth and prosperity, that it would distinguish him as one of the greatest presidents in our nations history. But since that time, the size and complexity of our tax code have multiplied immensely, and with this, so have the burdens it places on hard-working American families. This is just one reason why the people of Texas 4th District and folks all across the country rose up last year to install new leadership committed to reversing the economic malaise of the previous eight years. They believe like Reagan did that allowing folks to keep more of their hard-earned dollars is the right way to restore the economic competitiveness of our country and reopen the door to the American dream. As a firm believer that more economic freedom is the key to more prosperity, I was proud to vote in Congress for the passage of the biggest tax cut package our country has seen since Reagan. More than 30 years in the making, the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act represents a huge win for the American people. Our legislation focuses on the middle- and lower-class Americans who are burdened most by our current tax code. It provides specific relief for American families, and it puts wind in the sails of small business owners striving to create new jobs. All of these provisions combined will act as jet fuel for our economy truly making America competitive again. Here at home in the 4th District of Texas, these tax cuts will result in putting more than $700 million directly into the hands of the hardworking people I represent, instead of giving it to Washington bureaucrats. One of the primary ways well do this is by doubling the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples effectively creating an expanded zero percent tax bracket. This will directly benefit and provide immediate relief to the 79 percent of tax filers in Texas' 4th Districtwho currently benefit from this deduction. We will also repeal one of the most harmful Obamacare provisions: the individual mandate, which unfairly penalized middle- and lower-class families who just cant afford to pay for skyrocketing Obamacare premiums. Obamas individual mandate has been slamming folks with a tax equal to 2.5 percent of their household income and 80 percent of those paying this unfair penalty make less than $50,000 a year. Our tax cut package puts this hard-earned money back into back into their hands where it belongs. Additionally, our tax cut plan focuses on supporting families by expanding the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000, so we can make sure families can cover their everyday expenses and prepare for the future. On top of this, I fought hard to maintain the Adoption Tax Credit, so we can continue encouraging families to open their homes to children in need. Our plan will also reduce burdens on small business owners who are responsible for creating two-thirds of our countrys new jobs each year. Specifically, well be lowering the tax rate on the hard-earned business income of Main Street job creators to the lowest level weve had in decades. By doing this, well bring 80,000 new jobs to the state of Texas. Well also make America more competitive on the world stage by lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent the largest reduction in our nations history. This will finally stop businesses from being forced to move overseas to escape the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world, which means more American jobs for the American people. By tackling the challenges of an overly burdensome and overly complex tax code that have festered for more than 30 long years, were finally delivering Americans the relief theyve been asking for the relief that Ronald Reagan advocated for when he said the American Dream belongs to you. Im grateful for the opportunity Ive been given to be engaged in this process on your behalf.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://ratcliffe.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-reps-ratcliffe-and-gowdy-discuss-doj-and-fbi-oversight-fox-news,ICYMI: Reps. Ratcliffe and Gowdy discuss DOJ and FBI oversight on Fox News,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,John Ratcliffe,R000601,ratcliffe.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Reps. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) and Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) appeared on Fox News' Ingraham Angle Thursday with Jason Chaffetz to discuss theirwork on the House Judiciary and House Oversight Committeesto look into the many abnormalities stemming from DOJ and FBI decisions in 2016 including the handling of the Clinton email investigation. Click here to watch the interview with Ratcliffe and Gowdy Ratcliffe and Gowdy recently interviewed FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe about the many outstanding questions surrounding these decisions. The lawmakers said they are committed to conducting appropriate Congressional oversight to ensure the integrity of the DOJ and FBI is properly restored. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://ratcliffe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=213,ICYMI: Reps. Ratcliffe and Gowdy discuss DOJ and FBI oversight on Fox News,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,John Ratcliffe,R000601,ratcliffe.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tomgarrett.house.gov/media/in-the-news/would-you-trade-your-social-security-student-loan-forgiveness,Would You Trade Your Social Security for Student Loan Forgiveness?,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,VA,Thomas Garrett,G000580,tomgarrett.house.gov,,,legacy,"Two of the biggest long-term financial problems facing the United States are Social Security funding and the growing level of student loan debt. One Republican congressman has introduced legislation that could help tackle both problems by allowing future retirees to trade some of their Social Security benefits for student loan forgiveness. An outside-the-box solution It's no secret thatstudent loan debthas become a serious problem in the United States. As of the most recent data, about 45 million Americans owe a total of $1.4 trillion in student loan debt -- this is more than all of the credit card debt, auto loan debt, and every other type of debt Americans hold besides mortgages. Rep. Tom Garrett, a freshman Republican congressman from Virginia, has introduced new legislation known as the Student Security Act that would allow student loan borrowers to make an interesting choice. It would give borrowers the option to have some of their student loan debt forgiven in exchange for a higherSocial Security full retirement age. Rep. Garrett's plan -- the details Rep. Garrett, who is a student loan borrower himself, is introducing a unique solution to the student debt problem that could also help fix Social Security's expected financial shortfall. Here's how it would work. For every month a borrower agreed to raise his or her own Social Security full retirement age, they would receive $550 in student loan forgiveness. The plan would set a maximum amount of loan forgiveness of $40,150, which would result in a delay of six years and one month for the recipient's Social Security retirement age. According to the bill's text, it would also delay the early retirement age for the recipients, which is otherwise set at age 62 as the earliest age at which you can claim areduced benefit. For example, let's say that your full Social Security retirement age is 67 years, and you take advantage of $6,600 worth ($550 times 12 months) of student loan forgiveness under this program. Your full retirement age would now be 68 years old, and the earliest you'd be allowed to claim retirement benefits is now 63. Would you make the trade? This would be a completely voluntary program, so student loan debtors would need to carefully weigh the pros and cons before choosing to accept the loan forgiveness. There would certainly be some good reasons to choose to accept loan forgiveness under this plan. For example, reducing the debt burden on younger Americans could allow them to buy homes, get married, have children, and start businesses earlier than they otherwise could. Furthermore, if these individuals are spending less of their income on debt repayment, they could have more to save in a 401(k) or IRA, making them less dependent on Social Security benefits in retirement. However,Social Securityis a guaranteed, inflation-protected stream of income available to retirees, and it's important to realize that you may not be able to work until your new, older full retirement age. If you accept the maximum amount of loan forgiveness under the plan, it translates to a full retirement age of over 73 years. Are you willing to wait that long to collect your full retirement ... READ MORE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walden.house.gov/year-in-review,Year-in-Review: Greg Waldens top seven legislative wins for Oregon in 2017,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Year-in-Review: Greg Waldens top seven legislative wins for Oregon in 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released a list of top seven legislative wins for Oregon in 2017. Walden authored important bills that have been signed into law and passed in the House of Representatives this year to support Americas military and veterans, protect Oregons public lands and grow family wage jobs in local communities, modernize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), improve forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfire, and helped pass major tax reform to bring much-needed relief for middle class families in Oregon. According to www.congress.gov, Walden leads the Oregon House delegation with 23 bills passed through the House of Representatives this year. Walden also leads the House delegation with five pieces of legislation sent to the President in 2017. Walden has assisted over 1,200 Oregonians this year with problems they were having with federal agencies, including 500 veterans and military service members, and over 120 Oregonians with their Social Security and Medicare benefits. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with a federal agency such as the Veterans Administration (VA) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you can all Waldens office toll free from Oregon at 800-533-3303. Walden bill to protect Mt. Hood, boost family wage jobs sent to Presidents desk Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech Bipartisan legislation authored by Oregon Reps. Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer, and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkleyto help protect the local water source for the City of Hood River and upper Hood River Valley, while promoting economic growth and family wage jobs for the local communities, is heading to the Presidents desk. The Mt. Hood-Cooper Spur Land Clarification Act passed the House of Representatives in February on a 415-1 vote, and passed the Senate in December. Walden has worked closely over the years with Rep. Earl Blumenauer to protect Oregons public lands around Mt. Hood and grow the local economy. ""Completing the Cooper Spur land exchange is key to protecting Crystal Springs, the water source for the City of Hood River and the upper Hood River Valley, while also encouraging economic and job growth around Mt. Hood,Walden said.These communities have waited nearly nine years for the Forest Service to complete the exchange Congress gave them 16 months to finish. This is long past due and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law so the job can finally get done. Mt. Hood land exchange heads to Trumps desk A long-delayed land swap on Mount Hood that sets out areas for commercial development and protected forest land has cleared Congress. The bill unanimously passed the Senate on Thursday night, Dec. 21, which means its headed to President Donald Trumps desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan legislation written by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives Greg Walden, (R-Ore.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) was aimed at protecting and enhancing Oregons land conservation and recreation priorities on the mountain. Please click here to read more from the Hood River News. Greg Walden bill to ensure military access to lifesaving medical treatments signed into law Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech President Trump signed into law legislation introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to ensure the military has access to lifesaving medical treatments. Waldens legislation (H.R. 4374) passed the House and Senate unanimously, and will amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize additional emergency uses for medical products to reduce deaths and severity of injuries on the battlefield. ''Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for this country, and they deserve to have the earliest possible access to medical products that could save their lives on the battlefield, said Walden in a speech on the House floor when the legislation passed the House in November. In short, H.R. 4374 addresses the critical issue of military access to the newest available products by expanding the circumstances under which emergency use authorizations can be issued, and by establishing an expedited pathway to full approval of products that the Secretary of Defense requests. Walden resolution passed President Trump signed House Resolution 4374, a piece of legislation introduced by Representative Greg Walden. The resolution amended a law that would allow for the use of unapproved medical products during a military emergency. It is intended to speed up development and review of medical products for military emergency use within 45 days. Click here for more from KTVL News Channel 10. Greg Walden bill to modernize Food and Drug Administration signed into law Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech President Trump signed Rep. Waldens FDA Reauthorization Act (FDARA) of 2017 into law in August. Waldens legislation passed the House and Senate unanimously, and will help deliver new medical devices, treatments, and therapies to patients in Oregon and across the country. This bill reauthorizes and modernizes the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) critical medical productuser fee programs, ensuring the agency has the tools it needs to more efficiently deliver safe and effective drugs, devices, and treatments to patients. This law will encourage new medical innovations, bring lower cost drugs to market faster, improve the regulatory review process for devices and treatments and, most importantly provide certainty to patients and the health industry, said Walden. Click here to read more from the Energy and Commerce Committee, where Walden serves as Chairman. Greg Walden helps pass landmark legislation to bring tax-relief to middle class Oregonians Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Continuing his efforts to provide tax relief for middle-class families and boost job growth in Oregon, Rep. Walden voted to pass landmark tax reform through Congress in December. Walden applauded the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), as a win for hard-working Oregon taxpayers and job creators. The measure Congress will send to the President this week means that a hardworking family of four in eastern Oregon that earns about $50,000 a year -- which is the median household income in my district -- will receive a tax break of about $1,300 compared to the existing law. Instead of a bloated federal government taking and spending your money, I want families to keep more of what they earn. Thats $10,400 in lower federal income taxes over the next eight years for that one family, Walden said. Walden has heard from constituents across Oregons second district about the importance of this tax reform legislation. To read more about what people in Oregon are saying about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, please click here. Oregon Farm Bureau: Tax reform will help agriculture The Oregon Farm Bureau said the tax reform package passed by Congress and signed Friday by President Trump includes many provisions that will help Oregon's farm and ranch families. ""This bill lowers taxes for the vast majority of our agricultural families,"" said Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue. Bushue pointedout that the bill simplifies rate structures and eliminates the death tax for estates under $11 million while maintaining annual indexing for inflation, which covers nearly all family ag operations. Click here to read more from News Channel 21. Greg Walden leads forest management reform through House for fifth year in a row Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech For the fifth time in five years, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) voted in November to pass legislation to improve federal forest management and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires that ravage Oregon and much of the West every year.The Resilient Federal Forests Act (H.R. 2936),which Walden helped craft, addresses the growing economic and environmental threats of catastrophic wildfire that scorched over 710,000 acres of land across Oregon this year. My intensity on this issue is almost that of the fires we fight, said Walden. We can reduce the size and intensity of fire up to 70 percent, if we do the kinds of projects that thin out the forests and allow us to better manage and be better stewards of our federal forests that are contemplated as a result of this legislation. Forest reform bill passes House For the fifth time in as many years, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would expedite certain forest thinning projects to lower the risk of destructive wildfires across the country. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Oregon) hailed it as a big day for the Northwest during a conference call with reporters, saying the bill not only solves the issue of fire borrowing but gives agencies more leeway to thin overcrowded and diseased forests. Click here to read more from the East Oregonian. Greg Walden bill to improve care for Oregon veterans passes House unanimously Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks The U.S. House of Representatives in June unanimously passed a plan co-authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to improve the care Oregons veterans receive at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Walden worked with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, Dr. Phil Roe, to introduce the VA Medical Scribes Pilot Act of 2017. Waldens legislation would implement a pilot program for medical scribes at VA facilities, which will help unburden VA doctors and allow them to see more patients. Good news for Oregon veterans: the House passed legislation I co-authored with Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Dr. Phil Roe, that will allow veterans doctors to do what they do best -- spend more time taking care of veterans, said Walden. This legislation sets up a pilot program to try something that has worked successfully in the private sector -- having scribes work side-by-side with doctors, so that doctors can focus on the patient and scribes can focus on the paperwork. Guest Opinion: Bills would improve the VA for Oregon veterans Veterans in Oregon and across the country deserve quality care in a timely manner when they go to the VA. Unfortunately, long wait times at many facilities have resulted in delayed access to essential health services, especially in rural and underserved areas in Oregon. We can and must solve this problem, and Ive sponsored legislation to help. Lets start by making sure the VA is adequately staffed with qualified medical providers, and that these providers are able to devote their undivided attention to serving those whove served our country. Click here to read Rep. Waldens guest column in the Medford Mail Tribune. Walden paves the way for self-driving cars Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech Rep. Walden, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, helped pass landmark legislation through the House of Representatives in September to pave the way for self-driving cars. Walden has led a bipartisan effort to advance self-driving vehicle technology to help make Oregons roads safer, create new economic opportunities, and help seniors and those with disabilities live more independently. ""Almost 40,000 lives were lost on our roads last year. This represents yet another yearly increase in traffic-related fatalities. In my home state of Oregon, traffic fatalities were the highest theyve been in 14 years, increasing by an alarming 20 percent from the year before, said Walden. Statistics show that 94 percent of accidents relate to human behavior. During our morning commute into work, just look around. We all see folks on their phones in the cars next to us. While National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cannot write a safety standard to make us all perfect drivers, it can work to advance life-saving technologies -- which is the underlying goal of todays bipartisan legislation. Rep. Greg Walden Is Oregon's Champion Of Self-Driving Cars The U.S. House on Tuesday passed a bill to spur the widespread use of self-driving cars that was partly crafted by Rep. Greg Walden,R-Oregon. Walden used his chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to work with automakers and tech companies to hammer out a measure that allows testing of more self-driving cars on Americanroads. Today marks a really important milestone in our pursuit to make our roadways safer and support American leadership in self-driving innovation, Walden said on the House floor before the measure passed on a voice vote with noobjection. Click here to read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=2F6524F3-0877-4182-B9E4-E404C65B4F87,Corker Statement on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TN,Bob Corker,C001071,www.corker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump proclaimed January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. With the establishment of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and matching $25 million contributions from the U.S. and United Kingdom, 2017 was a historic year in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking but much more work remains, said Corker. I applaud the Trump administration, especially Ivanka Trump, for a continued focus on combatting this scourge on humanity both at home and abroad, and I remain committed to working with them to make this issue a priority in 2018. Today, in 2017, an estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world. Thats more than at any time in history. More than two and a half years ago, with input from leading stakeholders and industry experts, Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery worldwide. Not unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS worldwide, the End Modern Slavery Initiative, which is now operating as the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to focus resources responsibly where the crime is most prevalent. In September, both the U.S. and the United Kingdom announced matching $25 million contributions to the fund. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cruz.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=3572,Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Peaceful Protests in Iran,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HOUSTON, Texas - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in support of the peaceful protestors speaking out against the Iranian regime. ""I strongly support and stand in solidarity with the Iranian people who are bravely taking to the streets to speak out against their repressive, brutal government in Tehran. These protests reveal to the world that the Iranian regime would rather export and finance terror beyond its borders--especially to its terrorist proxies in Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen--than work to meet the basic needs of its own citizens. The Iranian people want freedom and an end to the ayatollahs' reign of terror. The sanctions relief provided under the disastrous Obama nuclear deal has done nothing but line the pockets of Iran's mullahs whose sole desire is to spread their hateful ideology and do everything they can to murder Americans, Israelis, and our allies across Europe and the Middle East. I urge the Trump Administration to do everything possible to support these courageous protestors, and I call upon freedom-loving nations everywhere to rally behind and publicly express their support for the Iranian people."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=2E8FCA0E-4438-4DAD-9AF7-571BBEBD7C9C,A Year of Progress: Record-Breaking Number of Circuit Court Judges Confirmed in 2017 with Hellers Support,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NV,Dean Heller,H001041,www.heller.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON In 2017, with help and support from U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), the U.S. Senate delivered on President Trumps promise to the American public by confirming a number of conservative judges to the federal bench. Among the total 19 conservative judges confirmed this year is Justice Neil Gorsuch, who filled the vacant U.S. Supreme Court seat of Justice Antonin Scalia following his death. Additionally, the U.S. Senate confirmed more circuit court judge nominees under President Trump than any other President in modern history has had confirmed during their first year in office. Under the leadership of President Trump and the Senate Judiciary Committee, this year the Senate confirmed a remarkable number of well-qualified conservative judges to the federal bench, said Heller. As a strong believer in the U.S. Constitution, I know that it matters who serves on these courts. The Constitution should drive all the decisions we make in this body, and the Constitution should be the focus of the judges on our federal courts. Im incredibly proud that in addition to putting Justice Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, the Senate also broke a record for the number of circuit court judge nominees confirmed during the first year of President Trumps Administration. This is exactly what the American people sent us to do to deliver results and thats why I look forward to working with my colleagues in the New Year to maintain this pace and fill the numerous judicial vacancies. In October, Heller pushed his colleagues to work full-time, 24/7 for the remainder of the year to combat Democrat obstruction and get results for the American people. At the time, the Senate had confirmed only seven judges. Since Hellers call to speed up the number of confirmations, the Senate has confirmed an additional 12 judges. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/edwards-county-listening-tour-kinsley,"Edwards County Listening Tour, Kinsley",2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tour Stops Home Kansas Kansas Listening Tour Tour Stops EDWARDS COUNTYFriday, December 29 at 11:30 a.m.Kinsley Drug CompanyKinsley",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/edwards-county-listening-tour-stop,"Edwards County Listening Tour, Kinsley",2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/kiowa-county-listening-tour-greensburg,"Kiowa County Listening Tour, Greensburg",2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tour Stops Home Kansas Kansas Listening Tour Tour Stops KIOWA COUNTYFriday, December 29 at 1:15 p.m.City Council ChambersGreensburg",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/kiowa-county-listening-tour-stop-greensburg,"Kiowa County Listening Tour, Greensburg",2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-2017-in-photos,Senator David Perdue: 2017 In Photos,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet David Connect Helping You News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.speaker.gov/photo/17-photos-2017,17 Photos from 2017,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WI,Paul Ryan,R000570,www.speaker.gov,,,legacy,"From bigpublic ceremonies to small personal moments, the Office of the Speaker takes approximately 30,000 photos each year. Narrowing those down to just a few of our favorites is no easy task, but in chronological order,these seventeen photos tell the story of 2017 for Speaker Ryan. 1. Look your best -Speaker Ryan helps his oldest son, Charlie, get ready for Opening Day of the 115th Congress. 2. The Speaker of the House -Speaker Ryan raises the gavel in gratitude to the 115th Congress. 3.The Peaceful Transfer of Power- Speaker Ryanwaves goodbyefrom the steps of the U.S. Capitol as President Obama departs. 4. Boots at the Border - Speaker Ryan tours the Rio Grande Valley to observe border security operations. 5.Vice President Pence He may serve as the Vice President, as well as the president of the Senate, but he will always have a home in the House of Representatives. 6. Reining in Regulations - Speaker Ryan signs a series of Congressional Review Acts, putting an end to some of the worst Obama-era regulations. 7. Friends of Ireland- Speaker Ryan, Taoiseach Kenny of Ireland, and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) welcome President Trump and Vice President Pence to the Capitol for the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon started by President Reagan and Speaker O'Neill. 8. As far as the eye can see - Speaker Ryan makes phone calls from his office overlooking the National Mall. 9. Accountability for our veterans - Speaker Ryan signs and sends major bipartisan VA reform legislation to the president's desk. 10.You were just released from the hospital today?! Special Agent Crystal Griner surprises the crowd, and the speaker, when she shows up at theCongressional Womens Softball Gameto throw out the first pitch, the very same day she was released from the hospital after taking a bullet in the Alexandria shooting. 11. The Big Six - Speaker Ryan meets with Senator Hatch, Leader McConnell, Rep. Brady, Secretary Mnuchin, and Gary Cohn (on the phone), to discuss tax reform. 12. Drone on - At one of his many tours of American manufacturing companies, Speaker Ryan flies a drone poweredby Intel. (Click here for video.) 13. Hurricane Irma-Speaker Ryan looks out the back of a C-130 tosurvey Hurricane Irmas devastationalong the Florida Keys. 14. Scalise Strong -Speaker Ryan greets Majority Whip Steve Scalise upon his return to the Peoples House after being shot in June while practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game. 15. A Big Tree from Big Sky Country -This year's Capitol Christmas Tree comes all the way from theKootenai National Forest in Montana. 16. A Promise Kept - Members of Congress gather at the White House to mark the passage the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 17. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Accompanied by Sen. Orrin Hatch, Senate president pro tempore,Speaker Ryan signs theTax Cuts and Jobs Act, sending the legislation to the presidents desk to become law of the land.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F98BD6DF-0EF0-4D2C-8988-74A8237FA9B4,Thom Tillis: A Republican In Need Of Outcomes,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"VIDEO: Senator Tillis on why being an effective Senator and producing results means being willing to reach across the aisle. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Im tired of talking heads and pundits and people who have never produced a conservative outcome trying to tell me how to get a result. Ive got a strong conservative record in North Carolina, whether its Second Amendment, property rights, life, I can go down a very long list. But that way Ive accomplished that is by not being mad about being conservative. Its by being productive and convincing Democrats to join with us on bills that make sense. You have RINOs [Republicans In Need Of Outcomes] and DINOs [Democrats In Need Of Outcomes]. Ive told people I want HIPPOs: Highly Independent People Producing Outcomes. Weve got to be willing to turn to the people in both conferences who hold extreme views and say youre clearly not here to produce an outcome, youre here to make a point. Well, Im here to make a difference, and Im looking for other people who want to make a difference. Senator Tillis has worked across the aisle to tackle problems and produce outcomes. Tillis, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, has worked across the aisle to support North Carolina military families and military installations: Senator Tillis secured provisions in the FY2018 NDAA to make much-needed improvements to the living quarters and other essential facilities at Camp Lejeune, including over $100 million for the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and a Water Treatment Plan Replacement. Secured $40 million in the FY2018 NDAA for supplemental impact aid to local educational agencies with military dependent children and $10 million in impact aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities and $1 million for a pilot program on public-private partnerships for telework facilities to facilitate spousal employment on military installations outside the United States. Secured over $25 million that paves the way for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base so home a squadron of KC-46 Air Force Tankers. Secured $15 million for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point that guarantees the construction of the Vertical Lift Fan Test Facility and ensures the future home of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters in North Carolina. Senators Tillis and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced bipartisan legislation that is awaiting signature by the President that streamlines and eases the burden on the process whereby active-duty military, reservists and veterans apply for their commercial drivers license. Tillis is leading on solutions to reform our nations broken immigration system: Tillis introduced the SUCCEED Act, a fair and merit-based solution that allows the DACA-eligible population to earn and keep legal status as long as they work hard, give back to society, pay their taxes, and follow the law. Senators Tillis and John Cornyn (R-TX), introduced the Building Americas Trust Act, legislation that increases resources at our borders, boosts trade through ports of entry, and strengthens enforcement of existing immigration laws. Tillis has followed through on his calls for bipartisanship and is currently engaged in a working group with both Democrat and Republican senators to reach a deal that would pair extensive border security and interior enforcement measures with a long-term solution for the DACA-eligible population. Tillis has worked across the aisle to improve educational benefits and job opportunities for veterans. In 2017, Senator Tillis had several bipartisan bills he co-introduced incorporated into law: TheVeterans Education Experience Improvement Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) improves veterans experience when using GI Bill education benefits and provide resources and training for the officials at educational institutions who serve student veterans, helping them achieve positive education outcomes. TheVeterans Education Relief and Reinstatement Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which reinstates lost benefits to veterans whose Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits are affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. TheVeterans Education Priority Enrollment Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) ensures that veterans, servicemembers, and surviving spouses and children of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty can take full advantage of their education benefits. TheYellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) extends Yellow Ribbon Program benefits to Fry scholarship recipients. When he dies, he said, he wants his epitaph to read: Thom Tillis. Former speaker, former senator, RINO. Nervous laughter went up from the crowd. RINO is a dirty word in GOP circles; it means Republican In Name Only and suggests someone who is too moderate to be a true member of the party. But Tillis, who has been on the receiving end of such criticism before, said he invented a new meaning for the term. To him it means Republican In Need of Outcomes. If a debate between Republicans comes down to choosing between an idea that is unrealistic but will sound good to the party base and one that needs a compromise but has an actual chance at creating change, he said its politically courageous to support the latter. What we need to do is be the party of results, Tillis said. (Raleigh News & Observer, 5/12/17)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=81DEB4C5-B96B-4612-ACB3-E3155DAC267A,Senator Thom Tillis Spends Christmas With New Granddaughter,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"North Carolina's junior Senator is experiencing the joy of being a granddad. Senator Thom Tillisshared a Christmas photo with his new graddaughter, Sawyer Marie on Instagram.Tillis captioned the picture saying, ""Beyond blessed to be Sawyer's Papa Rollie."" The Republican is serving his first term in the U.S Senate. The voters of North Carolina elected Tillisin 2014. Tillis announced the birth of his first grandchild back in November. Tillis also tweeted the following holiday message to the voters of the state. The Senator wrote, ""Susan and I want to wish you and your family a #MerryChristmas and #HappyHolidays. While you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, remember the men & women of our nations military and first responders for their service & sacrifice to keep us safe. Merry Christmas & God bless."" Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-rep-says-mueller-must-end-his-witch-hunt-and-step-aside,GOP Rep Says Mueller Must End His Witch Hunt and Step Aside,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1626 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/home-politics-tags-hillary-clinton-russia-probe-robert-mueller-fbi-special-counsel,"Rep. Biggs: Full Story of Mueller, Clinton Will Be 'Scandal of a Lifetime'",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1626 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://coffman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2418,Coffman Returns From Visiting U.S. Troops in Middle East,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,coffman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Aurora, CO Today, U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06), who serves as the Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee, returned to Colorado after spending Christmas with deployed U.S. service members in Afghanistan and conducting top-level military and diplomatic meetings in Kuwait and Jordan. It was an honor for me to spend Christmas with our men and women in uniform, and to meet diplomatic staff deployed in the region said Coffman, a Marine Corps combat veteran. Any opportunity I have to thank those serving on the front lines for their sacrifices and service to our nation is an opportunity I cherish. Additionally, hearing first-hand from our commanders and regional allies is crucial when crafting policy back in Washington. The bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) took place between December 23-28, 2017 and included U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), all Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Coffman was the only Member of Congress who serves on the House Armed Services Committee to participate. On Dec. 24th, the delegation arrived in Kabul and received a classified briefing regarding ongoing U.S. military operations in the region. Following the briefing, the group was hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mr. John Bass, at his residence for a Christmas Eve working dinner. On Christmas Day, Coffman met with Colorado service members at the Resolute Support Dinning Hall for breakfast and met with Commander General John Nicholson, Jr., who is the support commander for operation Resolute Support. Later in the day, the delegation visited Forward Operating Base (FOB) Fenty, and served lunch to service members at FOB Gamberi. On Dec. 26th, Coffman along with U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Lawrence Silverman, met with Kuwaits Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, and the Minister of Defense, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Topics discussed included mutual security and cooperation interests in the region. That afternoon, Coffman joined deployed Colorado service members for lunch at Camp Arifjan and visited with leadership of the Combined Joint Task Force of Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. Army Central. Later that evening, Coffman traveled to Al Jaber Air Base to receive a special briefing regarding the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force work. Following the briefing, he joined Marines stationed at Al Jaber Air Base for dinner. On Dec. 27th, the CODEL proceeded to travel to Jordan. Upon arrival, the party was greeted and briefed by top diplomatic personnel from the U.S. embassy in Amman, Jordan. Scheduled stops included meeting with Syrian refugees at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its Acting Representative Daniela Cicchella. Additional sites visited by Coffman included the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center and the Joint Training Center, both located in Zarqa, Jordan. The Congressional Delegation and support staff departed Jordan, U.S. bound, at an undisclosed time on December 27, 2017. Rep. Coffman arrived back in Colorado on December 28, 2017. To see pictures of the Congressional delegation during its travels, click HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-ryan-costello-talks-taxes-immigration-and-infrastructure-video,"Congressman Ryan Costello talks taxes, immigration and infrastructure (VIDEO)",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"READING, PA -- U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello talked about the politics and policy of recently passed tax reform, a pathway to citizenship and improving U.S. infrastructure during a meeting Wednesday with the Reading Eagle editorial board. The Chester County Republican, who represents part of Berks County, is confident the new tax code will not lead to a deeper deficit. He believes the changes will stimulate enough growth over 10 years to offset the loss of tax dollars in the nation's coffers. Costello had expected the tax bill, which passed with no Democratic votes, to receive bipartisan support. ""There are those on the left that will say Republicans never let us in the room,"" Costello said. ""There are those on the right who would say Democrats never made any good-faith effort to engage on tax reform. ""Three weeks before the tax bill was even introduced, the Democratic Congressional Committee, the super PAC related to (House) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, was in my district polling, figuring out what the two or three best attacks against the tax bill were, even though the bill had not even been introduced yet. ""Obviously, the Democrats want to win back the House. I think the Democrats have decided they are not interested in consensus-building."" Individual mandate's demise Costello said he supported the tax reform law's repeal of the individual mandate - a tax penalty in President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act that sought to force young and healthy Americans to purchase health insurance by imposing a tax penalty for failing to do so. About 80 percent of those who paid the minimum $695 penalty for not having insurance in 2017 earn less than $50,000 a year, Costello said. ""To me that is a tax on low-income Americans,"" he said Wednesday. Many Republicans thought the mandate was unconstitutional when the act was enacted. ""The reason was, you were taxing someone who chose not to purchase something,"" Costello said. ""The Supreme Court held that the reason the mandate was constitutional is because it was a tax."" Eliminating the mandate doesn't mean you can't purchase insurance, Costello said. It just drops the penalty for not doing so, he said. The mandate's supporters say dropping it will drive premiums up, since insurers will lose the revenue once generated by those who now elect not to have coverage and who face no penalty for it. CHIP's survival Costello expects the Children's Health Insurance Program - which provides free and low-lost health insurance to 178,000 children in Pennsylvania - to be reauthorized in January for five years. The Pennsylvania CHIP office's website says that without federal funding, it will have to make plans to end the program. Before leaving for its Christmas break, Congress passed a $3 billion short-term fix as some states were beginning to halt enrollment in the program. ""I think there are some politics being played on this,"" Costello said, adding that he believes the Republican funding proposal is a reasonable and responsible way to secure the program over the long term. ""Democrats in the House disputed the funding mechanism for it,"" he said. ""There is a fund created from the Affordable Care Act intended to be used for something such as CHIP. We were going to pay for it out of that, as well as - if you are a Medicare beneficiary who makes more than $500,000 a year, the premium would have gone up for you approximately $130 a month."" But Democrats expressed worry that the approach would undermine Medicare. Costello said that he believes Democrats' decision to oppose the House reauthorization plan sunk it. ""When you get a lot of Democrats in the House voting for something, that is a sign you are going get to Senate Democrats, too,"" he said, but that didn't happen. And the result is not good for anyone, he said. ""It undermines the authority of our government, when we can't reauthorize things that everybody agrees should be authorized,"" Costello said. Immigration reform Congress's ability to resolve the status of undocumented immigrants who came out of the shadows in response to Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program might depend on what the president says, Costello said. ""I think he has the ability to bring in a lot of conservative Republicans"" who might oppose legislation helping people stay in the only home they have known since childhood unless it's paired with border security, Costello said.""I think he's a wildcard,"" he said of Trump after noting that including border security might sink a reform bill by losing the votes of liberal Democratic supporters. ""And then there are people like me, the middle-of-the-roaders,"" Costello said. ""Can we bring in enough votes? And is it a standalone bill or does it get thrown into another bill?"" Costello said that legislation is needed not just because Trump set a March deadline for Obama's program, but because he believes the courts were likely to strike down the DACA program. Costello is cosponsor of a bill introduced earlier this year, the Recognizing America's Children Act, which would make a program similar to Obama's DACA the law of the land. It would allow children who were brought to the U.S. as minors to move from temporary lawful status to lawful status within five years. ""It gets rid of that question mark of you lawfully being in the United States,"" Costello said, adding that he understands people being terrified that Congress will not resolve their legal status by March. ""If it doesn't get done, it is a real failure,"" he said. ""If it does get done permanently and it looks similar to DACA, then we will be better off as a country for years to come because it will have been done constitutionally and legislatively."" Infrastructure optimism As politically charged as the 2018 election year is expected to be, Costello believes an infrastructure package that includes passenger rail, rural broadband, modernizing the electrical grid, roads, bridges, highways, ports and airports could gain bipartisan support. ""Every congressional district in the county has at least five of those,"" he said. Some of the infrastructure projects Costello would like to see in his district include improvements to Route 222; making Route 422 safer from Lebanon through Norristown and beyond; improvements at Philadelphia International Airport and to Interstate 95; and upgrades to existing passenger railways and the power grid.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/muhlenberg-township-veteran-receives-medals-66-years-after-service-marine,Muhlenberg Township veteran receives medals 66 years after service as Marine,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Sixty-six years ago, Earl Swartz, a Marine Corps reservist from Reading called to active duty during the Korean War, returned to Pennsylvania by train from the West Coast, where a troublesome appendix kept him from going overseas. After a year at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he had waited to be shipped to Asia, he arrived at the train station in Harrisburg in 1951, greeted by his parents and wife-to-be, believing that he had earned medals for his service. He never got them. Years went by and Swartz got married, got a job, bought a house in Muhlenberg Township and raised a family - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. He told them stories about his time in the military, including the medals that he never received. But though the war was long over, Swartz's family was determined to get him the medals that he was due. With help from the staff at U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello's office, they obtained them, then staged a surprise ceremony to give Swartz, now 88, the recognition he had earned decades ago. On Wednesday, Swartz was led into Costello's Wyomissing office on the pretense that he had to tend to a health insurance issue. When the doors opened, he was surprised by relatives, several local Marines home on leave and Costello, who awarded Swartz the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal six decades after he served his country. How did it feel to finally get his medals? ""I tell you, don't ask me or I'll start to cry about it,"" Swartz said, holding them after posing for photos with family. ""This is unbelievable."" Wearing a Marine Corps cap that's part of his casual attire, Swartz climbed out of a son's vehicle and was greeted at Costello's door by two saluting Marines from Recruiting Sub-Station Reading. He returned their salute. Inside, more Marines stood with Swartz's family, and Swartz, short and gregarious, told them stories about his boot camp training at Parris Island, S.C. Costello presented the medals, and afterward Swartz was treated to dinner by his family. ""He'll talk about this the rest of his life,"" said a son, Stephen Swartz of Muhlenberg Township. A 1948 graduate of Reading High School, Swartz joined the Marine Corps Reserves while in school, knowing that he could be called to active duty, he said. He, served from October 1950 to October 1951. One night at Camp Pendleton, waiting to be sent to Korea, he became sick with dry heaves and went to a military doctor, who diagnosed appendicitis and sent him to a hospital. He spent a week in the hospital, missing his first opportunity to go to Asia. Though his appendix was not removed then, it was once his service ended and he returned to civilian life, he said. He missed another opportunity to go to Korea when the military changed its criteria: He didn't have enough time in training to go to war, the Marine Corps decided. He's always been proud to be a Marine. Sometimes, when he wears his Marine Corps cap to the grocery store or on other errands, a fellow Marine will greet him, or a civilian will thank him for his service. ""I think it shows this country isn't all bad,"" Swartz said. Costello, a Republican who has represented Pennsylvania's 6th District since 2015, has presented long-overdue medals to veterans about 10 times a year and has enjoyed it. ""In this day, when there's so much divisiveness, any time you can find somebody who reattaches the fiber of patriotism, it's good for us all,"" he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-calls-action-va-illegally-hiring-docs-revoked-licenses,JONES CALLS FOR ACTION ON VA ILLEGALLY HIRING DOCS WITH REVOKED LICENSES,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC This week Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and 30 congressional colleagues called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to quickly address recent reports that the VA knowingly hired doctors who lost their licenses for malpractice and providing poor care to patients. A follow-up report found that the VA has allowed hospitals to hire health care providers with revoked licenses for at least 15 years. In doing so, the VA is in violation of a federal law passed in 1999 which prohibited the agency from employing any health care worker whose license has been revoked by any state. In one case, the VA hired a neurosurgeon who racked up over a dozen malpractice claims in two states for surgical mistakes that left patients maimed, paralyzed or dead. We need to ensure our nations veterans receive the highest quality care from the best providers possible, said Congressman Jones. For the VA to be illegally hiring doctors who failed to meet that standard in their previous jobs is very troubling and absolutely unacceptable. In a letter sent to VA Secretary David Shulkin earlier this week, Congressman Jones and his colleagues urged the agency to take quick action to address the issue. The Secretary responded promptly. In an interview published yesterday, Secretary Shulkin said he had ordered a re-writing of the hiring guidelines and launched a nationwide review to identify and remove any health care workers with revoked licenses. I would like to thank Secretary Shulkin and the administration for jumping on this issue, said Congressman Jones. Veterans deserve the best care we can give them. When problems like this are identified, it is very important that they be rectified immediately so that no veterans health is jeopardized. The following members of Congress joined Congressman Jones in signing the letter to Secretary Shulkin: John Rutherford, Jack Bergman, Mark Meadows, Barbara Comstock, Madeleine Bordallo, Ralph Norman, Ann McLane Kuster, Doug Collins, Tom OHalleran, Beto ORourke, Mimi Walters, Mike Bost, Mike Johnson, Darrell Issa, Thomas Rooney, Jim Banks, Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Yoder, David Valadao, Roger Marshall, Ted Yoho, Andy Biggs, Neal Dunn, Steve King, Daniel Donovan, Jr., Charlie Crist, Peter DeFazio, Steve Pearce and Ron DeSantis. The text of the letter is below: December 18, 2017 The Honorable David J. Shulkin, M.D. Secretary U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: We write today to express extreme concern regarding recent reports that the VA has hired medical providers, including surgeons, who have histories of malpractice and disciplinary actions taken against them. These reports include the hiring of providers who have previously lost their medical licenses, providers who have a history of sexual misconduct, and providers who have a record of disciplinary actions that would preclude them from employment in the private sector. We recognize and share your commitment to ensuring that our nations veterans receive the highest quality care from the best providers possible. Therefore, recent reports of these bad hires, along with the recent Government Accountability Office report that found VA failed to conduct appropriate reviews and report doctors who received adverse privileging actions to state medical boards and other databases, are of great concern to us as we conduct oversight of the Department. The hiring of doctors who have had their medical licenses revoked in any state is already prohibited, and clinical hires must be cleared through professional standards boards. However, it appears the laws and regulations establishing that prohibition are not being followed by VA medical facilities. As you are aware, the President signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law in June. This was a result of Congresss and the American peoples outrage at the lack of appropriate disciplinary action within the VA. We are encouraged by your exercise of these new authorities; however, these recent reports lead us to question if further action by Congress may be necessary. In order to help us learn more about the VAs response to these reports, we request the following: Actions taken to terminate the employment of those listed in recent reports who should not have been hired by the VA; Actions taken to discipline the professional standards boards who cleared the hiring of those providers with histories of misconduct and malpractice; Any Department-wide guidance on how medical facilities review and conduct their hiring processes to prevent current hiring laws from being broken; Actions taken to identify other current providers within the VA who have had disciplinary actions taken against them. We thank you in advance for your prompt response to our concerns. We appreciate your dedication to our veterans and look forward to working together to ensure they receive the highest quality medical care available. Please contact us with any further questions. Sincerely, For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Walter Jones' office at allison.tucker@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-3415. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pearce.house.gov/press-release/icymi-pearce-daca-bill-picks-local-support,ICYMI: PEARCE DACA BILL PICKS UP LOCAL SUPPORT,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NM,Steve Pearce,P000588,pearce.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC (December 11, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce introduced legislation earlier this month to provide certainty to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Rep. Pearces proposal has gained traction throughout local news outlets in New Mexico. Pearce DACA bill good faith compromise Las Cruces Sun News December 8, 2017 having a bill ready to go that was introduced by a Republican member may be the best hope to ensure that those who signed up for this program in good faith dont suddenly have the information they provided to the government used against them. We credit U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce for taking the initiative in introducing compromise legislation to deal with one of this areas most pressing legislative issue Click here to read the full article. Pearce proposes compromise on DACA recipients Albuquerque Journal December 1, 2017 Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican who represents New Mexicos border with Mexico, filed legislation late Thursday that would allow the children of parents who came to the U.S. illegally a chance to remain in the country lawfully... The move represents a proposed compromise between Democrats and President Donald Trumps administration, which has announced it would end the Obama-era DACA program... An estimated 800,000 young peoples legal status is in limbo. Click here to read the full article. Editorial: Pearces Dreamers bill offers interim solution Albuquerque Journal December 8, 2017 Its a reasonable alternative to President Donald Trumps mandate that DACA expire on March 6. his proposal takes the pressure off those immigrants facing Trumps March 6 deadline. It also gives Congress time to craft solutions to the nations unmanageable immigration system As an interim solution to the numerous and vexing problems of immigration, Pearces bill has merit. Pearces bill has merit. But the real work lies ahead. Click here to read the full editorial. Pearce bill would protect DREAMers from deportation Las Cruces Sun News December 1, 2017 U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has introduced legislation to provide protection from deportation for young immigrants who qualify under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program Pearce sent a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in September urging Congress to find a permanent solution for DACA recipients. The bills introduction Thursday leaves a little more than three months before the March 5 deadline when DACA is set to expire. Pearce's bill was introduced with the hope that his bill will be seen as a compromise between those who want to grant Dreamers full legal status, and those who just want to see the program ended. Click here to read the full article. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-welcomes-funds-asg-and-applauds-justice-department-decision,Amata Welcomes Funds to ASG and Applauds Justice Department Decision,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AS,Amata Radewagen,R000600,radewagen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -- Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed an important decision by the Justice Department adding the American Samoa Government to the agreement between StarKist and federal agencies. This action, in response to inquiries by Congresswoman Amata and Governor Lolo, redirects $2.6 million in agreed upon funds back from Washington to American Samoa. ""This is great news for American Samoa, and keeps a substantial portion of these funds in the islands, as it should be,"" said Aumua Amata. ""I believe the Justice Department made the right decision to bring American Samoa into this agreement, and I applaud everyone involved for their willingness to consider all the facts and make this key change."" The new agreement retains the same total dollar amount, but the inclusion of ASG allows approximately one third of the funds to stay in American Samoa. ""All parties to this agreement should be complimented for their willingness to include these considerations of the impact on American Samoa, and come to an agreement including the local community,"" continued Congresswoman Amata. ""I'd like to add a particular thank you to Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga as we worked together to highlight these facts and bring about a resolution that makes a real difference for the territory. I would also like to thank Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale for his hard work and dedication with the Department of Justice and the EPA to ensure that ASG received these funds."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/case-you-missed-it-reichert-op-ed-tacoma-news-tribune-daca,In Case You Missed It: Reichert Op-Ed in the Tacoma News Tribune on DACA,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WA,Dave Reichert,R000578,reichert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - In case you missed it, Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA) published an op-ed in the Tacoma News Tribune on the pending deadline for DACA recipients. ""This issue transcends politics. It is about these children, their hope and their opportunity for a better life - a life free from uncertainty."" Read the rest of the article HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/tax-cuts-new-year,Tax Cuts for the New Year,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AL,Martha Roby,R000591,roby.house.gov,,,legacy,"This time around, the new year is offers something extra exciting for the American people. Im pleased to reportthat Congress has finally passed our historic,pro-growthtax reformand Americans will soon being experiencing the benefits. After months of work, we have delivered on our promiseto cut taxes, bring balance to the tax code, and jumpstart job growth. While the House passed its version of tax reform months ago, differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill had to beworked out in a conference committee. I was proud to support the final product and vote alongside my colleagues to send the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to the Presidents desk. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Actlowers individual tax rates and roughly doubles the standard deduction for individuals and married couples. That means less of your paycheck is subject to taxes beginning this year. The average, median-income American family will see about $2,100 in tax relief not just one year, but annually. For moms and dads working to make ends meet, having a few thousand extra dollars in the budget can make a big difference. Its your money to begin with and I believe you know how to spend it better than the federal government does. Another important aspect of our tax reform plan is lowering business taxes. A lot of people dont realize that our effective tax rate for businesses is among the highest in the world. All that does is send jobs overseas and make it harder for small businesses to be successful. By lowering business taxes to a globally-competitive 21 percent, we can boost our economy and spur job growth here in the United States. While our bill eliminates many unnecessary and burdensomespecial-interest deductions, it also preserves a lot of the popular tax deductions people count on, including the student loan interest deduction, the deduction for teachers expenses, the medical expense deduction, the charitable giving deduction , the adoption tax credit, and the mortgage interest deduction. It doubles the Child Tax Credit to help working families, and it eliminates the Obamacare individual mandate tax penalty. After the bill passed, I joined my colleagues and the President at the White House to celebrate this monumental accomplishment. My children, Margaret and George were on break from school for the holidays, so they were able to be in Washington and attend the event with me. I am so thankful they were able to witness this historic moment. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce the tax burden on American families and grow our economy and Im glad we could deliver on this promise weve been making for so many years. A lot of misinformation has been spread by those who oppose this plan, and its generated some confusion about what our bill does and does not do. Regardless, I am confident the results will speak for themselves. The American people will know who was telling the truth when they see more money in their pockets and experience a growing economy thanks to our historic tax reform plan. I am proud that we were able to come together and deliver this relief to families and businesses just in time for 2018. Happy New Year!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/in-the-news/tipton-giving-rural-colorado-opportunity-financial-success-through-mobile-banking,Tipton: Giving Rural Colorado Opportunity for Financial Success Through Mobile Banking,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"There are many challenges facing hard-working families trying to maintain their way of life in rural America, but one of their greatest obstacles may be lack of access to a physical bank or credit union. Bank accounts are an important tool for financial stability for Americans of all income levels in all parts of the country. Having a bank account helps families save money securely, pay bills in a timely fashion and better plan for their future financial needs. While many of us can drive a short distance, walk into a bank and open an account, there are rural communities across our state and the country where physical bank locations are few and far between. Luckily, mobile banking is increasingly improving access to financial services and has become especially important for customers in rural areas. Unfortunately, however, access to mobile banking products is not equal across the United States, as some state driver's license laws prevent imaging of driver's licenses, which, in turn, prevent banks and credit unions from offering their mobile account products in those states. Fortunately, the House Committee on Financial Services recently passed myMaking Online Banking Initiation Legal and Easy (MOBILE) Act of 2017, which creates equal opportunity for every American to open a bank account on a mobile device. This bill passed the committee with broad bipartisan support. The MOBILE Act will allow customers if they so choose to authorize a financial institution to make a scan or copy of their driver's license or identification card in order to open a bank account on a mobile device. Simply stated, this legislation will level the playing field across the United States for anyone who wishes to open a bank account online. Additionally, this legislation is careful to protect consumer privacy information by requiring a financial institution to delete all copies of a driver's license and personal identification after having used them for the permitted purpose. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. estimates thatas many as 67 million adult Americans are unbanked or under-bankedand at heightened risk of exposure to monetary loss, fraud and the high costs associated with alternative financial services. However, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that 59 percent of unbanked individuals have access to mobile phones (50 percent of which are smartphones) and that 90 percent of under-banked individuals have access to a cell phone (56 percent of which are smartphones). By allowing those with smartphones to essentially have their bank accounts in their pocket, there are increased opportunities to improve access to bank accounts for customers across the United States and, by proxy, more opportunities to help families in rural America gain and sustain financial stability. Evidence from the Federal Reserve shows that mobile banking use is rising in the United States at relatively fast rates. In 2016, when the Federal Reserve studied mobile banking use, it found that 43 percent of all mobile phone owners with a bank account had used mobile banking in the past 12 months, up from 39 percent in 2014 and 33 percent in 2013. Following this trend, the use of mobile banking will continue to rise at a quick pace, and that access is only further supported by the MOBILE Act. All families should have the tools they need to achieve financial stability and prosperity. The MOBILE Act will help bring these tools to communities that, by virtue of being located in rural areas, may not have access to the traditional brick-and-mortar banks that many of us take for granted. I'm glad this bill has gained the attention and support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to seeing it considered in the full House.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=859,Cotton Statement on Iranian Protests,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 28, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the protests against the Iranian regime in the city of Mashhad: ""Even after the billions in sanctions relief they secured through the nuclear deal, the ayatollahs still can't provide for the basic needs of their own people-perhaps because they've funneled so much of that money into their campaign of regional aggression in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. The protests in Mashhad show that a regime driven by such a hateful ideology cannot maintain broad popular support forever, and we should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against it.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=45CA3448-AC0D-42D6-A7FC-828F5DCBC6E5,A Year of Progress: President Signs into Law 15 Heller Bills,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NV,Dean Heller,H001041,www.heller.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONIn 2017, President Trump signed into law a total of 15 bills that U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) authored or helped introduce and move over the finish line. Of the more than 400 bills that the U.S. Senate passed, the President has currently signed into law 97of them. From legislation that holds the VA accountable to a bill that encourages women entrepreneurship, Im proud that the president signed more than a dozen bills that I helped introduce and pass,said Heller.As a senior member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I have worked to move legislation that improves care and strengthens education benefits for Nevadas veteran population. In 2017, we certainly made progress, but we have a lot of work to do next year and I look forward to continue fighting for solutions that will help Nevadans get ahead. The majority of Hellers bills that are now law are focused on helping the more than 300,000 veterans who live in Nevada. That includes legislation to expand veterans GI Bill education benefits and ensure veterans continued access to life-saving surgeries. The President signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, legislation that Heller authored to give veterans more options when appealing their disability claims, in Reno, NV. Heller is the author or original cosponsor of the following bills that were signed into law in 2017: S. 1362, Guard and Reservists Education Improvement Act(authored by Heller): Restructures the G.I. bill eligibility tiers for certain Guardsmen and Reservists. Public Law 115-48 with H.R.3218 as the legislative vehicle. S.1024, Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017(Heller original cosponsor of the Senate substitute amendment to H.R.2288 that ended up becoming law): Reformed the VA appeals process for disability claims.Public Law 115-126, with H.R.2288 as the legislative vehicle for the final legislation. S.1094, Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (Heller original cosponsor): Provides the VA expedited firing authority for bad VA employees.Public Law 115-41. S.1598, Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Heller original cosponsor): Provides comprehensive reform of the Post9/11G.I. educational assistance program and includes three of Hellers provisions. Public Law 115-48 with H.R.3218 as the legislative vehicle. S. 42, INSPIRE Women Act(Authored by Heller): Directs NASA to encourage women to study STEM and pursue aerospace careers. Public Law 115-7 with H.R.321 as the legislative vehicle. S.114, VA Choice and Quality Employment Act(Heller bill used as vehicle):Provides $2.1 billion in funding to continue the Veterans Choice Program. Public Law 115-46. S.83, Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship(Heller a co-author):Authorizes the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world. Became Public Law 115-6 through H.R.255. S. 1489, Veterans Education Relief and Reinstatement Act Guard and Reservists Education Improvement Act (Heller original cosponsor): Ensures veterans who suffer a permanent school closure are able to have their G.I. bill benefits reinstated. Included in Public Law 115-48, with H.R.3218 as the legislative vehicle for the final legislation. S. 1277, VET TEC Act (Heller original cosponsor):Establishes pilot program to allow veterans to enroll in non-traditional courses related to technology careers like coding. Included in Public Law 115-48 with H.R.3218 as the legislative vehicle for the final legislation. S.327, Fair Access to Investment Research Act (authored by Heller):Would give investors access to more research and information on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).Public Law 115-66. S. 3152, Empowering Employees through Stock Ownership Act (co-authored by Heller): Promotes employee ownership through stock options in privately held businesses. Public Law 115-97 with H.R.1 as the legislative vehicle. S 784, The Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017 (Heller original cosponsor): Increases veterans disability benefits based on rising costs of living. Public Law 115-75 with H.R.1329 as the legislative vehicle. S. 583, The American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017 (Heller original cosponsor): Amends federal law to allow Community Oriented Policing Services grantees to use grant funds to hire veterans as law enforcement officers. Public Law 115-37. S.782, PROTECT Our Children Act of 2017 (Heller original cosponsor): Reauthorizes the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing 4,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that combat online child exploitation across the country. Public Law 115-82. S.2183, CHIP Stability Act (authored by Heller): Provided states with certainty for the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for December 2017. Public Law 115-90 with H.J. Res. 123 as the legislative vehicle. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/jewell-county-listening-tour-mankato,"Jewell County Listening Tour, Mankato",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tour Stops Home Kansas Kansas Listening Tour Tour Stops JEWELL COUNTYThursday, December 28Mankato City LibraryMankato",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/jewell-county-listening-tour-stop,"Jewell County Listening Tour, Mankato",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/smith-county-listening-tour-smith-center,"Smith County Listening Tour, Smith Center",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tour Stops Home Kansas Kansas Listening Tour Tour Stops SMITH COUNTYThursday, December 28 at 4 p.m.Smith County CourthouseSmith Center",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/smith-county-listening-tour-stop-smith-center,"Smith County Listening Tour, Smith Center",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-highlights-president-trumps-year-of-accomplishments,Senator David Perdue Highlights President Trumps Year of Accomplishments,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet David Connect Helping You News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F21DC2AB-6B24-4BAB-9E76-9B453AA85F52,Tillis Leads on Immigration Reform Solutions,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has quickly established himself as a bipartisan leader on immigration reform, working on commonsense solutions to secure our borders, provide long-term certainty for undocumented children, and reform temporary worker visa programs that small businesses across the nation depend on to survive and support American jobs. Senator Tillis on why immigration reform is important to him. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis on why he introduced the SUCCEED Act, a solution for the DACA-eligible population. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis on why border security is critical. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis on why the H-2B Visa Program is needed to help support American jobs and businesses. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis is laying the groundwork for broad immigration overhaul. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Tillis is laying the groundwork for a methodical, step-by-step approach immigration reform that pairs immigration solutions supported by both parties. A Republican senator is trying to break years of congressional gridlock over immigration with a new plan that would pair changes sought by Democrats with those pushed by his own party. At a time when President Donald Trumps promise to build a wall along the southern border is dominating the immigration discussion, Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) has been talking with a handful of Democrats and Republicans to build support for a broader overhaul. His plan would aim to tighten border security and toughen enforcement of immigration lawsgoals often cited by Republicanswhile addressing the fate of the roughly 11 million immigrants currently in the U.S. illegally, a Democratic priority. (Kristina Peterson & Laura Meckler, GOP Senator Lays Groundwork for Broad Immigration Overhaul,Wall Street Journal, 1/24/17) Senator Tillis has led efforts to reform the temporary working program. Senator Tillis has also been at the forefront of efforts to reform temporary worker programs, including the H-2B visa program, which is vital to small and seasonal small employers in North Carolina and across the country who depend on temporary workers to sustain their businesses. Senators Tillis and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation that provides more long-term certainty for seasonal employers. Tillis also successfully urged the Department of Homeland Security to provide 15,000 additional H-2B visas to assist seasonal small businesses facing labor shortages this year. Tillis has shown deep interest in immigration policy. He placed a hold on one of Trumps nominees for the Department of Homeland Security in July in an effort to pressure the department to approve more visas for guest workers. He removed the hold on Lee Francis Cissna to be director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after DHS and then-Sec. John Kelly approved an additional 15,000 visas for workers who aid North Carolinas landscaping, tourismandseafood-production industries. (Franco Ordonez, N.C. senator tosses Trump a conservative life raft for Dreamers,McClatchy, 8/31/17) Senator Tillis is committed to finding a solution for the DACA population. Senator Tillis has been a national leader in finding a solution to provide long-term certainty for undocumented children who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own. Following President Trumps announcement in September that he was phasing out the DACA program in six months, Tillis introduced the SUCCEED Act, a fair and merit-based solution that allows the DACA-eligible population to earn and keep legal status as long as they work hard, give back to society, pay their taxes, and follow the law. As Donald Trump was pressing his hard-line immigration platform en route to the GOP nomination last year, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis decided to go in a different direction entirelyThe freshman senator from North Carolina is now making his biggest immigration play yet, unveiling a plan to provide permanent relief to the undocumented immigrants who came here as minors.If a deal can be done to win over the warring parties and a president who has swung back and forth on the issue, it might start with Tillis, who has methodically carved out a profile as a pro-immigration Republican at a time when the GOP has swerved sharply to the right. (Seung Min Kim, Meet the Republican who might cut a Dreamers deal,Politico, 10/10/17) Tillis has also been an outspoken advocate for securing our nations borders. Following a week-long visit to the Texas-Mexico border earlier this year, Tillis, along with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), introduced the Building Americas Trust Act, legislation that increases resources at our borders, boosts trade through ports of entry, and strengthens enforcement of existing immigration laws. Tillis has warned about the continued consequences of insecure borders including humanitarian risks to adults and children and the rise of narcoterrorist organizations that have contributed to the Americas opioid addiction crisis. Tillis has called on Republicans and Democrats to seek common ground and work on solutions. I believe that a practical and effective approach to border security can gain the support of the Trump administration and both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Moving forward, border security should initiate the first phase of a methodical, step by step process to immigration reform that will also strengthen interior enforcement, reform our legal immigration system, and address the undocumented population in the United States in a fair and compassionate way. Securing our border and reforming our broken immigration system will require all sides to demonstrate a willingness to work together and refuse to allow the perfect to become the enemy of good solutions. (Thom Tillis, Securing our border must befirststep in immigration reform,The Hill, 4/18/17). Senator Tillis has followed through on his calls for bipartisanship and is currently engaged in negotiations with both Democrat and Republican senators to reach a deal that would pair extensive border security and interior enforcement measures with a long-term solution for the DACA-eligible population. The North Carolina senator has emerged as one of the key lawmakers working across the aisle to compromise on immigration legislation. A key issue Tillis is trying to find consensus between Democrats and Republicans on providing legal protections to the nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.Tillis is trying to find the sweet spot. The North Carolina Republican is part of a group of lawmakers who have been negotiating on how to pair legal protections for the Dreamers with enough increased border security to satisfy Republicans, but not be too extreme as to turn off Democrats. (Eliza Collins, On DACA, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis wants to find middle-ground,USA Today, 12/13/17) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=14538582-B860-4F22-90A6-6D5507DB022E,Sen. Thom Tillis celebrates 2017 successes for service members and veterans,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As many prepare to toast to Auld Lang Syne, elected officials are taking the end of the year to celebrate successes and plan for 2018. North Carolinas U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is no exception. In a series of emailssent since Tuesday, Tillis has discussed his 2017 accomplishments as a senator as well as his legislative goals for the new year. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Tillis focused on his work on two of the five Senate committees on which he serves, Armed Services and Veterans Affairs. He cited these successes for veterans and service personnel: He co-sponsored the bipartisan Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which included provisionsto improve veterans experience when using GI Bill education benefits; reinstated lost benefits; and ensured education benefits for veterans, service members and surviving spouses and children. Tillis said he also secured supplemental impact aid to local education agenciesfor military dependent children. He co-sponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which protects whistleblowers and allows the VA secretary to fire employees. Tillis said he fought for medical coverage and compensation for Camp Lejeune Marine Corps veterans suffering from medical conditions caused by exposure to contaminated water. His efforts and those of other officials led to theVA allocating $2.2 billion for compensation payments for exposed veterans. Tillis team also sought compensation for exposed family members and contractors. Tillis said he also secured money or much-needed improvements to Lejeune living quarters. A provisionin bipartisan legislation co-introduced by Tillis was included in the Department of Defense budget for 2018.Itcreated a center of excellencein the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand health effects of burn pits and treat those affected by them. Tillis also announced plans to improve trauma care at Camp Lejeune early this year and held a hearing about researching, diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury and concussions among service members. Tillis co-sponsored the Veteran Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform Act that was signed into law in November. The bill increases veterans access to apprenticeship programs by streamlining the certification process for nonfederal apprenticeships based in more than one state. Similarly, Tillis co-introduced legislation that could streamline the processin which service members and veterans can apply fora commercial drivers license. The senator held a hearingon service member and military family readiness programs, investigating the need to improve military child care services and expand employment opportunities for military spouses. He secured $1 million for a pilot program on public-private partnerships for telework facilities on military installations outside the United States, enabling spousal employment. Tillis looks to the future In 2018, Tillis said, hewill seeek toprovide military men and women with support services as they move from active duty to reserve and onward.Support services include job training and acquisition as well medical and psychological care. Thats something thats missing, Tillis said. Theres a big gap between your active service and your veteran service, and I want to work on bridging that gap. Tillis said the first step is evaluating current programs. Its really taking a look at programs that were well-intentioned but not working and getting more funding and more authorities for programs that are working, he said. For the Armed Services Committee, Tillis saidthe evaluation of programs needs to occur nationwide, not just in North Carolina. Some current shortcomings, he said, are caused by two factors: layered and inefficient policies in the Department of Defense and congressional impediments. Tillis cited near-peer competitors to the U.S., China and Russia and their ability to develop next-generation capabilities much faster than the U.S. There are a lot of inefficiencies that the (Department of Defense) deals with because it was a good idea and a bad implementation, he said. Weve got to recognize weve got to act to free up the Department of Defense to have its full potential. Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=1D80685B-9068-475F-B601-590FA530E4EC,Sen. Tillis comes to the defense of Bojangles biscuits after baking soda slam,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Washington Post struck a nerve with Carolinians on Tuesday when a story appeared to take a swipe at Bojangles biscuits. Taste testers at the Post recently did ablind taste testof various fast-food biscuits, and they werent too fond of Bojangles. In fact, someone in the taste test in which Bojangles ranked only ahead of Burger King stated the restaurants biscuit is simply not a good biscuit. I can taste leavening in this; it tastes like baking soda, a taster in the rankings said. The story didnt sit well with many people, including Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who took to Twitter to voice his opinion of the rankings. With all due respect to the @washingtonpost, their food tasters need to get their tastebuds checked out. @Bojangles1977 makes the best fast food biscuits, period, the senatortweeted, lightheartedly. Tillis nod of approval was praised by Bojangles, which responded with gratitude to the senator. Thank you, Senator! If ethics rules didnt prevent it, your next biscuit would be on us! Bojanglestweetedback. Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=CE53B558-ECFB-4BD7-9121-0C7C304717C1,Sen. Thom Tillis on why he expects his staffers to apply for other jobs,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Thom Tillis(R.N.C.) was a management consultant before entering elective politics, and has used this background to help inform his decision-making as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel and to manage his Senate staff. In a conversation with Tom Fox, Tillis talked about how he promotes professional development of his employees and the approach he takes to ensure staff accountability.Fox is a guest writer forOn Leadershipand the vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Tell me about your approach to managing your Senate staff. We get our staff members to think about how they want to grow in terms of knowledge and skills. We have certain expectations about developing new skills, networking and seeking out professional development opportunities. I also have a requirement that every member of my staff interview for at least one job a year. Why do you ask them to interview for other jobs? Do you want to encourage turnover? Most of the staff members are relatively young and early in their careers. People move a fair amount. You probably have 25 percent attrition in most offices. So if you know that people are going to leave, you want to have a relationship with them that is trusting so that they can talk with you about the next opportunity and you can be a part of the process. They can do that if they know that we encourage people to look for other jobs and have those discussions as a natural part of their professional development. In some offices, its like the kiss of death if it is discovered that that one of the staff members is interviewing for a job. They should recognize that it is one of the single greatest ways to gain trust and actually retain your highest performing staff. What are some other aspects of your management philosophy? I am going to add another componentproviding educational opportunities for the staff that would be nontraditional for a Capitol Hill office. I want them to think about completing either certificate work or advance studies. I want them to study Six Sigma, a methodology used to improve business processes. The military invests heavily in professional development and training, but that is not the case for the federal civilian workforce. Can the military model be applied to the federal civilian workforce? There is a perception among some that the way you progress in the federal workforce is just dont die and longevity will secure advancement. I dont think the vast majority of the civilian workforce wants to just put in their time and as people retire, move up. We have to have a high-performing workforce culture that provides extraordinary civilian employees the opportunity to advance at a faster pace. We have to do a better job of figuring out who are the true leaders and extraordinary performers, who are the above average performers, who are the average performers and who are below expectation performers. We need to let that drive all advancement polices, compensation and other things. I think that would provide a much more enriching environment for the civilian workforce. What is the primary demand that you require from your staff? Peyton Manning, one of my favorite football players, has said that pressure is something you feel when you dont know what you are doing. I tell my staff I want them to know what they are doing. I tell them I dont ever want a question answered starting with the words, I think. If you think, then by definition you dont know. So tell me you dont know or tell me youre looking for the answer. I want specific answers or I want to know that you dont know. I dont want to form an opinion on what you think, I want to form an opinion on what you know. Most of my staff actually realizes that I am pretty forgiving of people who are aggressive, work hard and maybe make mistakes. I am not the least bit forgiving when people dont invest the time to get the right answers and actually know what they are talking about. I understand you hosted a bipartisan Halloween dog costume contest in the Hart Senate Office Building this year. Did you do this just for fun or was there a larger purpose? We need to build relationships with people who are not likely or 90 percent of the time not likely to support our political positions. The way you do that is connect at a personal level. The idea of having the dog costume contest was fun way for people to get together. If you become insular and if you only hang out with people who fundamentally have the same views, you are not going to grow or get things done. The staff needs to do that as well. The way that I was able to make it to partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers on a fairly short cycle is because I had a reputation for consensus building and working together and working as a team, not as an individual. Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8BA70A85-FBB2-401D-81EC-29659666EA2B,Wicker Responds to Mississippi Joining FirstNet,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"TUPELO U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today issued the following statement regarding Mississippis participation in the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet): Congress has an important oversight role as this nationwide network is being deployed. I am committed to ensuring that FirstNet meets its obligations to Mississippi and our emergency responders. In July, Wicker convened a hearing to examine the progress of the networks deployment. During that hearing, Wicker said, By any estimation, the development of this nationwide public safety broadband network is a challenge, but it is an essential endeavor to ensure that first responders can fulfill their daily mission to save lives. At the center of this effort is the courage of our nations first responders, who put their lives on the line every day in Mississippi and across the nation to protect our families, neighborhoods, and communities. They deserve a network that is interoperable, reliable, and secure. Dr. Damon Darsey, an Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, was a witness at that hearing. Click here for Mr. Darseys testimony.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-returns-visiting-us-troops-middle-east-christmas,Rep. Zeldin Returns from Visiting U.S. Troops in Middle East for Christmas,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"CongressmanZeldin celebrates Christmas with NY-1 resident and Marine Corporal Maria Ripis of Farmingville who is stationed at Al Jaber Airbase in Kuwait. View additional high resolution photoshere. PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, returned from celebrating the holiday season with deployed U.S. service members inAfghanistan,Kuwait, andJordan. Representative Zeldin led the bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) that also included Congressman David Cicilline (D, RI-1), Congressman Mike Coffman (R, CO-6), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-8), from December 23, 2017 to December 28, 2017. Having visited U.S. troops inIraq and Kuwait over Christmas in December 2015andAfghanistan and Qatar over Christmas in December 2016, this was Congressman Zeldins third consecutive year spending the holidays in the Middle East with deployed service members. Congressman Zeldin also participated in high level diplomatic meetings and was briefed by top military officials. It was my highest honor to be able to personally thank all of our deployed men and women abroad for their tremendous sacrifice on behalf of a very grateful nation. It is not easy for them to spend the holiday season several thousand miles away from home having great family and friends missing them around the Christmas Tree or Hanukkah Menorah,Congressman Zeldin said.For many of our deployed military and diplomatic personnel, this isnt their first holiday season away from their loved ones. Being able to serve them their Christmas Day meals, let them know how much they are appreciated, and receive their critical feedback from the ground, is the absolute least I can do to make sure they know how much countless Americans are thinking about them, praying for them, and filled with enormous gratitude for their incredible sacrifice. Click the following links, to learn more about Congressman Zeldins Christmas CODEL stops inAfghanistan,Kuwait, andJordan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-codel-travels-jordan-meet-diplomats-deployed-us-service,"Rep. Zeldins CODEL Travels to Jordan to Meet with Diplomats, Deployed U.S. Service Members and Syrian Refugees",2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Zeldin meets with Syrian refugees at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Amman, Jordan. Congressman Zeldins CODEL receives a country team brief from U.S. diplomatic leadership during a working lunch at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Congressman Zeldin visits with U.S. troops stationed at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Zarqa, Jordan. AMMAN, Jordan -Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, traveled from Kuwait to Jordan to continue celebrating the holiday season with deployed U.S. service members, participate in several high level diplomatic and military meetings, and meet with Syrian refugees. Representative Zeldin is leading the bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) that also includes Congressman David Cicilline (D, RI-1), Congressman Mike Coffman (R, CO-6), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-8). Having visited U.S. troops inIraq and Kuwait over Christmas in December 2015andAfghanistan and Qatar over Christmas in December 2016, this is Congressman Zeldins third consecutive year spending the holidays in the Middle East with deployed U.S. service members. In addition to Jordan, Congressman Zeldins CODEL spentChristmas Eve and Christmas Day in Afghanistan, and thefollowing day in Kuwait. It is my highest honor to be able to personally thank all of our deployed men and women abroad for their tremendous sacrifice on behalf of a very grateful nation. It is not easy for them to spend the holiday season several thousand miles away from home having great family and friends missing them, Congressman Zeldin said. For many of our deployed military and diplomatic personnel, this isnt their first holiday season away from their loved ones. Being able to visit our nations troops stationed abroad, let them know how much they are appreciated, and receive their critical feedback from the ground, is the absolute least I can do to make sure they know how much countless Americans are thinking about them, praying for them, and filled with enormous gratitude for their incredible sacrifice. In Jordan, on December 27, 2017, Congressman Zeldins CODEL was briefed by U.S. diplomatic leadership at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and met with Syrian refugees at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Amman where they were also briefed by Acting UNHCR Representative Daniela Cicchella. Congressman Zeldin and the other Representatives then visited U.S. service members stationed at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Zarqa, which included a large contingent of New Yorkers serving at the base. Finally, the CODEL visited deployed personnel at the Joint Training Center, also located in Zarqa. ###.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398845,Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for January,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Griffiths Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of January. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to confirm that traveling hours are still in effect. January 2, 2018 Craig County: 10:00 am 12:00 pm Craig County Administration Building 108 Court Street P.O. Box 308 New Castle, VA 24127 Salem: 2:00 pm 4:00 pm City of Salem Offices 114 N. Broad Street Salem, VA 24153 January 3, 2018 Norton: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue Northwest P.O. Box 1160, City of Norton Norton, VA 24273 Wise County: 2:00 pm 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue East Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 January 4, 2018 Roanoke County: 9:30 am 11:00 am Roanoke Library Hollins Branch 6624 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, VA 24019 Alleghany County: 12:30 pm. 2:00 pm Clifton Forge Library Conference Room 535 Church Street Clifton Forge, VA 24422 Covington: 2:30 pm 4:00 pm City of Covington Conference Room 333 West Locust Street Covington, VA 24426 January 8, 2018 Grayson County: 9:30 am 11:00 am Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room Suite 206 129 Davis Street P.O. Box 217 Independence, VA 24348 Galax: 12:30 pm 2:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Grayson St. Galax, VA 24333 Carroll County: 2:30 pm 4:00 pm Carroll County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room 605 1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA 24343 January 9, 2018 Patrick County: 9:30 am 11:30 am Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room 106 Rucker Street Stuart, VA 24171 Martinsville: 12:30 pm 2:00 pm New College Institute Room 106 Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA 24112 Henry County: 2:30 am. 4:00 pm Bassett Historical Center 3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA 24055 January 10, 2018 Russell County: 9:30 am 11:00 am Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA 24266 Bristol: 12:30 pm 2:00 pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA 24201 Smyth County: 2:30 pm 4:00 pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA 24354 January 11, 2018 Tazewell County: 10:00 am 12:00 pm Town of Bluefield Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive P.O. Box 1026 Bluefield, VA 24605 Tazewell County: 2:00 pm 4:00 pm American Legion Building 226 Central Avenue P.O. Box 608 Tazewell, VA 24651 January 16, 2018 Tazewell County: 10:00 am 12:00 pm Town of Richlands Offices 200 Washington Square Richlands, VA 24641 Buchanan County: 2:00 pm 4:00 pm Town of Grundy Offices 1185 Plaza Dr. Grundy, VA 24614 January 17, 2018 Bland County: 9:30 am 11:00 am Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 200 612 Main Street P.O. Box 510 Bland, VA 24315 Wythe County: 12:30 pm 2:00 pm Wythe County Sheriffs Office Conference Room 245 South 4th Street P.O. Box 819 Wytheville, VA 24382 Pulaski County Dublin 2:30pm-4:00pm Town of Dublin Offices 101 Dublin Park Road Dublin, VA 24084 January 18, 2018 Floyd County: 9:30 am 11:00 am Town of Floyd Offices 134 Wilson Street Southeast Floyd, VA 24091 Radford: 12:30 pm 2:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA 24141 Pulaski County: 2:30 pm 4:00 pm Pulaski County Library 60 3rd Street Northwest Pulaski, VA 24301 January 22, 2018 Giles County: 10:00 am 12:00 pm Town of Pearisburg Offices 112 Tazewell Street Pearisburg, VA 24134 Dickenson County: 10:00 am. 12:00 pm Dickenson Center for Education & Research 818 Happy Valley Drive P.O. Box 2275 Clintwood, VA 24228 Lee County: 2:00 pm 4:00 pm Lee County Sheriffs Office Conference Room 33640 Main Street Suite U101 P.O. Box 177 Jonesville, VA 24263 Wise County: By Appointment Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue East Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 January 23, 2018 Scott County: 10:00 am. 12:00 pm Community Services Building Board of Supervisors Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA 24251 ** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://stivers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399426,Man's best friend could speed healing at VA,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,OH,Steve Stivers,S001187,stivers.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - About one out of every five veterans returns home with invisible wounds of war. An Ohio representative argues assuming command over a four-legged friend, could be a key to improving the recovery of struggling veterans. share: f t WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - About one out of every five veterans returns home with invisible wounds of war. An Ohio representative argues assuming command over a four-legged friend, could be a key to improving the recovery of struggling veterans. At holiday parties and among friends, former Army Ranger Nick Starling found himself constantly on high-alert. Starling suffers from hyper-vigilance a symptom of Post-traumatic stress disorder and his tours in Iraq.But a year-and-a-half ag, a Saint entered his life. Thats why I can have my back to the door right now is because I know hes got my back, said Starling as he talked to our reporter. Saint is Starlings service dog. The highly-trained rescue relieves Starlings anxiety allowing him to attend an event like this without feeling the need to seclude himself at home for a week afterward. So he helps out with that, Starling said with a laugh. Anybody thats ever been a pet owner knows that the bond you create with your dog really does make a difference in your life, said Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio). He wants struggling veterans to take on a new mission while theyre in a VA hospital: train dogs to assist others with physical and mental disabilities. In theory, the newfound companion would complement the new trainers recovery. Anything we can do to get these veterans help we need to focus on, said Stivers. Stivers said his idea for a pilot project at three hospitals is backed by research into the positive effects of both service and therapy dogs. His proposed law cleared the House but stalled in the Senate in 2016 he hopes the outcome will be different in 2018. The current bill has significant bi-partisan support, but will need to clear several legislative hurdles to sniff any chance of becoming law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adriansmith.house.gov/press-release/smith%E2%80%99s-office-announces-mobile-office-hours-january-8-16,Smiths Office Announces Mobile Office Hours for January 8-16,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NE,Adrian Smith,S001172,adriansmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Constituents of Third District Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) are invited to meet with a representative of his office at mobile offices during the month of January in Rushville, Hayes Center, and Chappell. At mobile offices, Third District residents can meet directly with one of Smiths staff members about federal issues and take advantage of the services available through his office. Smith, who has offices in Grand Island and Scottsbluff, will provide his mobile office and a staff member at the following times and locations: Monday, January 8 Sheridan County Courthouse 301 East 2nd Street, Rushville, NE 69360 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, January 9 Hayes County Courthouse 502 Troth Street, Hayes Center, NE 69032 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, January 16 Deuel County Courthouse 718 3rd Street, Chappell, NE 69129 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MST) For additional information, please contact Smiths Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/air-force-advanced-technology-and-training-center-coming-middle-ga,(Houston Home Journal): Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center Coming to Middle GA,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE Scientists, engineers, technicians and educators in Middle Georgia will have a state-of-the-art facility to help revolutionize future manufacturing technologies by late 2018. ""Middle Georgia has a long and strong relationship with the Unites States Air Force, and I couldnt be more supportive or proud of the Air Forces decision to bring a new Advanced Technology and Training Center (ATTC) to Warner Robins, said U.S. Rep. Austin Scott.Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander, agreed. ""Innovation is about people working together, he said. ""The Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center is a place where people can collaborate and marry great ideas with technology. The ATTC will be a place to train on and test new technologies without interrupting actual aircraft maintenance production. The center will seek to capitalize on the government and academic talent of people in the Middle Georgia region and encourages new opportunities for local high schools, community colleges and universities. ""This center is going to help us reach beyond the fence to interact with the men and women of the local community in ways we couldnt before, said Thomas Fischer, director of Engineering and Technical Management for the Air Force Sustainment Center. ""This center will enable Robins Air Force Base and Middle Georgia to strengthen ties to work together in order to solve the Department of Defenses most difficult challenges and educate the current and future industry experts to ensure our air superiority. The facility will provide: quick reaction and qualification capabilities for new technologies and processes in a non-production environment; training capabilities for advanced technology equipment and processes; and, cross-discipline collaboration space to share ideas and interact real-time in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. By leveraging these capabilities, the center will allow the staff to work collaboratively to foster innovative thinking, increase education and training, and push the state-of-the-art in manufacturing. ""The Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center is a big win for Robins Air Force Base and Middle Georgia, said Kubinec. ""Its the first of its kind and having it located in Warner Robins makes it a great avenue for community collaboration.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=155,Bergman Applauds Long Overdue Defense Department Audit,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MI,Jack Bergman,B001301,bergman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bergman Applauds Long Overdue Defense Department Audit Retired Marine Lt. General Jack Bergman announced his continued support for an audit on the Department of Defense. f t # e Washington, December 27, 2017 Having served alongside General Mattis, I know he is the right man, at the right time, to lead the Department of Defense. Marines are trained to lead by exampleand under General Mattis leadership, DOD can lead the way in responsible federal spending. General Mattis is moving forwardwith a full-scale auditat DOD for the first time inU.S.history. This top to bottom audit is the largest ever conducted and continues the process of applying accountability at all levels of government. As a fiscal conservative,Ive said many times that the United States government must be held accountable for every penny oftaxpayermoney received and spent especially when committing resources to the defense of our nation. Our men and women in uniform work each and every day to safeguard the freedoms we hold dear. Its our responsibility to ensure theyve got the training, resources, and support necessary to carry out their mission. This audit by DOD is a critical step in changingthe federal governments culture of spending and ensuring the Pentagons resources are allocated to warfighters in the most efficient and effective way possible. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-lawmaker-calls-mueller-recusal-his-witch-hunt-must-end,GOP lawmaker calls for Mueller recusal: 'His witch hunt must end',2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1626 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/local-veteran-receives-purple-heart,Local veteran receives Purple Heart,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"WEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- A local veteran who bears the scars of his heroism now proudly wears a different reminder. The Action Cam was in West Chester Wednesday as Congressman Ryan Costello pinned the Purple Heart on Private First Class Justin Radbill. The Army veteran was wounded when his patrol came under attack in Baghdad back in 2003. Despite being struck by shrapnel and suffering significant injuries, PFC Radbill jumped into action, taking aim at the enemy to save his fellow soldiers. Radbill stayed in a turret until every wounded soldier was attended to. Though he earned the Purple Heart 14 years ago, he never formally received it until now.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-kilmer-call-defense-secretary-mattis-immediately-implement-inspector-general,"Reichert, Kilmer Call on Defense Secretary Mattis to Immediately Implement Inspector Generals Recommendations to Comply with FBI Background Check Reporting Requirements",2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WA,Dave Reichert,R000578,reichert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Following the report earlier this month from the Department of Defenses Inspector General showing that the Military Services did not consistently submit convicted offenders fingerprint cards and final disposition reports to the FBIs Next Generation Identification Database, Representatives Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) issued a letter asking the Secretary of Defense James Mattis to immediately implement the OIGs recommendations to prevent future reporting lapses. The bipartisan pair also requested an outline of the DODs plan to correct previous reporting errors. As a former Sheriff and law enforcement officer for 33 years, I know how important it is to keep guns out of the hands of those who seek to do harm, said Rep. Reichert. It is why we should do all we can to make sure our federal background check system is strong and effective, including ensuring relevant information is in the system. I am proud to join with Rep. Kilmer to urge the Department of Defense to quickly improve their background check reporting practices and to request specific information on how they plan to ensure no individual slips through the cracks. The Texas mass-shooting, like too many other acts of gun violence, was preventable, but the government failed to do the simple paperwork required to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals, Rep. Kilmer said, Everyone I have talked to in our community wants to see guns kept out of the hands of dangerous convicted criminals. Background checks are useless if the databases designed to prevent convicted violent criminals from getting guns arent up to date. Secretary Mattis shouldnt waste another second to implement the Inspector Generals recommendations which could prevent future tragedies. The OIG found that the militarys failure to report convictions and to deliver fingerprints to the FBI was systemic. The OIG has conducted regular investigations identifying this issue since 1997. This most recent report found 601 of the 2502 fingerprint cards that the DOD was required to report on to the FBI were not submitted as required. That amounts to 24 percent. One of the unreported cases was the Air Forces court-martialing of Devin P. Kelley who was convicted on two counts equivalent to felonies in the civil system stemming from a domestic violence incident. Had the Air Force properly reported the conviction, Devin Kelley would have failed an FBI background check, possibly preventing him from purchasing the guns and body armor he used to murderchurchgoers at the First Baptist Church in Southerland Springs, Texasin one of the nationsdeadliest mass shootings in historyearlier this year. The DOD OIG made several specific recommendations to address these deficiencies. For example, the OIG recommended that the Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force ensure that all fingerprint cards and final disposition reports be promptly reported to the FBI. More broadly, the OIG recommended that the Secretaries of each of the militarys branches, as well as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, and the Deputy Chief Management Officer immediately perform a comprehensive review of their criminal investigative databases and files to ensure all required fingerprint cards and final disposition reports for qualifying offenses at least to 1998 have been submitted to the FBI in compliance with the DOD and FBI requirements. In addition to complying with federal background check reporting requirements, Reps. Reichert and Kilmer supported the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act, which would increase the mental health care options available to veterans with an other than honorable discharge. Last month, the House of Representatives passed the legislation. Under current law, service members separated from the military with an other than honorable discharge are not allowed to seek care at VA facilities, which bars many veterans in need of mental health care from receiving it. The OIGs report can be read in full here. The letter Kilmer and Reichert sent to Secretary Mattis is available in full here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/misleading-article-mimi-walters-letters,Misleading article on Mimi Walters: Letters,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CA,Mimi Walters,W000820,walters.house.gov,,,legacy,"By: Letters to the Editor https://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/27/misleading-article-on-mimi-walters-letters/ Re: Voting for a tax plan that will hurt her constituents [Opinion, Dec. 26]: This article is very misleading. This UC Irvine law professor spends an entire paragraph talking about tax provisions in the original bill that would hurt UCI. He has a paragraph about the deduction that was removed for fire victims. Then he admits that the offensive items were removed in the final tax bill. Yet, he still uses this in his attack on Mimi Walters. There was no reason to discuss provisions that were not in the final version. Mimi Walters voted for the final bill that removed these offensive items. James Haynes, Irvine Not the tax plans fault Of Professor Marians column decrying Rep. Mimi Walters vote on tax reform, the professor writes, UC Irvine is one of the biggest employers and one of the countys greatest institutions. Good grief. It is an agency of the state of California built and supported in large part by taxpayers. Only in recent years have exorbitant salaries and benefits throughout the UC system forced the cost of tuition skyward causing the particularly acute effect on UCI, the rest of the UC system, students, their families and taxpayers. Gerald Dyer, Trabuco Canyon Tax plan helps me Re: Tax plan a lump of coal [Letters, Dec. 27]: Letter writer Elise Power is wrong when she writes that the tax plan is a lump of coal in Americans Christmas stocking. I just estimated my 2018 taxes and my taxes were reduced $800. Im retired and on a fixed income, this was a gold nugget in my stocking. Thank you, President Trump. David Warner, Dana Point",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=5C998A60-E9C5-4C2A-9F29-72C92EB33E40,USS Little Rock Added to Navy Fleet,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Despite the cold weather in Buffalo, New York, there was a warm welcome for the USS Little Rock, its crew and myself and fellow Arkansans who traveled to celebrate the commissioning of the Freedom-class littoral combat ship earlier this month. Its been more than four decades since the Navy had a ship named after the City of Little Rock, and it is an honor to have one of its more versatile warships named after our states capital city. The commissioning of the USS Little Rock marked the first time in the history of the Navy that a ship was commissioned alongside her namesake. This special occasion brought together crew members of the original USS Little Rock and those like Lieutenant Robert Dyer from Mountainburg, Arkansas who is a member of the current crew. During its time as a light cruiser and then as a guided missile cruisier, the original USS Little Rock and its crew were vital to defeating growing threats. The new USS Little Rock is just as critical to our Navys sea power. This ship, and the strength and resolve of its Warhawg crew, is the future of the Navy, offering unique capabilities to defend against evolving threats around the globe. In order to protect our national security, the Navy needs the resources to stay ahead of the threats our adversaries pose to us and our allies. We also need the resources to work toward the goal of a 355-ship fleet. Achieving this larger, more capable fleet will take decades to complete, but Congress can make it easier by passing individual appropriations bills instead of relying on continuing resolutions. Earlier this month, Navy Secretary Spencer said the service has wasted $4 billion since 2011 because of continuing resolutions. This could have gone a long way toward growing our fleet. A continuing resolution means that the Navy is operating on the previous years budget level and last years priorities. It means delays in shipbuilding and ship repair. It also means reducing training opportunities, flying hours, and steaming days. That forces more requirements onto the operational fleet, which is already stretched thin after decades of constant worldwide deployment. Funding the government is the basic responsibility of Washington. Its an obligation that my colleagues and I on the Senate Appropriations Committee take very seriously as we craft the appropriations bills, set priorities and make difficult decisions on how to spend taxpayer dollars. We must return to a process in which we debate and pass annual spending bills in order to provide much needed predictability to our military leaders. We can make this happen by returning to regular order and passing individual appropriations bills. We owe it to our service members, their families and all Americans. We owe it to the crew of the USS Little Rock. Admittedly, Little Rock is not the first place most people think of when you mention the Navy. Our state doesnt border an ocean, but now the state capital will once again have a place on the high seas. This is a tremendous honor for the City of Little Rock, and I know that the ship and its crew will make Arkansas proud.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-highlights-how-west-virginia-will-benefit-from-historic-tax-reform-legislation,Capito Highlights How West Virginia Will Benefit from Historic Tax Reform Legislation,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.27.17 Capito Highlights How West Virginia Will Benefit from Historic Tax Reform Legislation CHARLESTON, W.Va. Last week, Congress and the Trump administration delivered the first comprehensive pro-growth tax reform our country has seen in more than three decades. In an op-ed for The Daily Mail Opinion Page of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses this historic legislation and outlines the many ways West Virginians will benefit. Make no mistake: This is an important moment for our nation. Throughout this process, I promised to do whats best for West Virginia families, workers and small businesses; and I believe that this legislation is absolutely whats best for our state, Senator Capito wrote. View the op-ed here and below. Doing Whats Best for West VirginiaBy U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)Charleston Gazette-Mail (Daily Mail Opinion Page)December 26, 2017 Something big happened in Washington last week. After years of hearings and discussions and months of working through an open and transparent process, Congress passed comprehensive pro-growth tax reform legislation. On Friday, President Trump signed that legislation into lawdelivering on a promise that will have enormous benefits for our country. Getting tax reform across the finish line has been one of my top priorities, and its a historic and substantial victory for West Virginians and for Americans across the nation. The agreement passed last week will provide critical tax relief and create new economic opportunities for workers and small businesses. And it does that by lowering taxes across the board and making our tax code simpler, fairer and more competitive. The new tax law reduces individual tax rates so middle-income Americans can keep more of the money they work so hard to earn. It significantly increases the child tax creditdoubling it from $1,000 to $2,000so more families can benefit from it. It also nearly doubles the standard deduction, which is already used by 83 percent of West Virginians. All of these changes mean that West Virginia familiesnot Washingtonwill decide how to spend the money they make. Whether thats taking care of household costs, taking care of an unexpected expense or saving for the future, the choice will be theirs. What does that mean in actual dollars? Take, for example, a family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 per year. Under the new law, that family will see a tax cut of more than $2,000. For a married couple earing $55,000 per year with two kids will go from owing roughly $800 in taxes to owing nothing. Were talking about making a real, tangible difference in the lives of West Virginians. But thats just the beginning. The new tax law will also help small businesses succeed and make sure American companies remain competitive globally. As it does for individuals, the law lowers tax rates for businesses of all sizes. It also includes a simple tax deduction for small business owners that will be easier to administer and free up resources that could be used to grow their companies. Thats an especially important change in West Virginia where 95 percent of our businesses are small businesses. These companies are truly the backbone of our local economy, and they employ half of our private-sector workforce. When it comes to larger businesses, in addition to lowering the corporate tax rate, the new law modernizes our international tax system. That means it will make it easier for businesses to bring home money they earn overseas and encourage them to invest more here at home. These reforms are all significant on their own, but its their combined effect that makes the new law a truly significant achievement. Because of these changes, West Virginians and so many others are going to see higher wages, more jobs and new opportunities to get ahead. Thats not a talking point. Its something Ive heard time and time again from West Virginia small business owners, from constituents who are tired of a struggling economy and stagnant wages, and from groups representing a wide variety of industries that are critical to our state. Of course, there has also been a lot of misleading rhetoric from critics and political theatrics from naysayers who never really planned to support this effort. But Im confident that next yearwhen workers see larger paychecks and communities feel the benefits of greater economic growthit will be clear that this legislation is exactly the kind of big and bold solution our country needs and West Virginians deserve. Make no mistake: This is an important moment for our nation. Throughout this process, I promised to do whats best for West Virginia families, workers and small businesses; and I believe that this legislation is absolutely whats best for our state. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-%E2%80%9Ctax-cut-plan-will-benefit-hardworking-mainers-not-dc-elites%E2%80%9D,"ICYMI: Tax cut plan will benefit hardworking Mainers, not DC elites",2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tax cut plan will benefit hardworking Mainers, not DC elites By: Sen. Susan Collins Read Senator Collins op-ed in the Portland Press Herald HERE. ""I have heard a number of conspiracy theories from pundits, political operatives and columnists about why I supported the tax cut plan that just became law. I thought that the best way to respond would be just to tell you directly. ""I supported this legislation because it will help lower-income and middle-income families keep more of their hard-earned money, boost the economy and encourage businesses, both small and large, to grow and create jobs here in Maine and around the country. ""The 72 percent of Mainers who already use the standard deduction will pay lower taxes. The law nearly doubles the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. The child tax credit will also be doubled from $1,000 to $2,000, and with my strong support up to $1,400 of that tax credit will now be refundable, benefiting low-income families who do not owe taxes. ""A family with $24,000 in income will not pay anything to the federal government. A single mother earning $35,000 with one child will see her taxes drop by nearly 4,000 percent. Instead of paying money to Washington, she will be getting back nearly $1,100 to help her make ends meet. ""A couple in Maine with no children, earning $60,000, will see their taxes fall by more than $900. And a couple with two children earning $60,000 will get a tax cut of about $1,700 a reduction of more than 100 percent. The bottom line is that most Maine households will see their taxes lowered and have more money in their paychecks starting early next year. ""Ive heard liberal activists and commentators in Washington counter those facts by saying 'that just isnt much money.' I could tell you they dont get it, but why dont I just let them speak for themselves? One of the better Washington quotes, from Roll Call columnist Walter Shapiro, was 'good luck taking your entire family to the south of France on vacation' with a $1,000 tax cut. See? They just dont get it. Working Mainers arent looking for a trip to the French Riviera but they would like to be able to keep some of their hard-earned money to go snowmobiling in Greenville, or to the high school basketball tournament in Bangor, or to pay for an unexpected car repair. ""The original Senate bill would have eliminated the deduction for state and local taxes. An amendment that I wrote will let taxpayers deduct up to $10,000 of state and local taxes. Another amendment I wrote not only restored the deduction for high medical bills that the House bill would have eliminated, but also lowered the threshold for two years from 10 percent to 7.5 percent of income. This will help seniors and those who are struggling with unreimbursed medical costs for long-term care or expensive chronic health conditions. I also was able to help public employees like firefighters, school teachers and police officers as well as clergy and employees of nonprofits make catch-up contributions to their retirement accounts. ""There is so much misinformation about this bill out there it is hard to counter it all in one short column, but here are a few things the bill does not do: ""It doesnt cut Medicare by $25 billion (or any amount), as you might have seen claimed in TV ads. In fact, I led the effort to clearly state in law that the tax cut will not trigger automatic budget cuts to Medicare or any other programs. ""It doesnt tax graduate school tuition waivers, or eliminate student loan deductions, or the $250 tax credit for teachers (a provision I authored). ""It doesnt take away anybodys insurance. Instead, it eliminates the penalty that people who dont buy health insurance must pay as mandated by the Affordable Care Act even if they cannot afford it. Eighty percent of the people who pay this penalty make less than $50,000 a year. The mandate is so unpopular that not a single Senate Democrat offered an amendment to keep it. ""How the legislation treats employers has been the subject of much debate, but the reality is that the United States cannot continue to have the highest statutory corporate tax rate in the world at 35 percent. We are losing jobs. I talked to General Dynamics, which owns Bath Iron Works in Maine; United Technology, which employs over 1,900 people at Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick; General Electric, which has a major plant in Bangor; Procter & Gamble, which employs 400 workers in Auburn; and Idexx, which is an important high-tech employer in Westbrook, about the positive difference the new law will make in their ability to create jobs in Maine. ""New Balance, with about 900 workers manufacturing sneakers in Maine, said: 'Companies like New Balance will be able to increase investments in their facilities and be more globally competitive while remaining a U.S. company hiring U.S. workers.' ""Patrick Regan, general manager at Pratt & Whitney, wrote: 'Pratt & Whitney plans to hire thousands of people over the next several years across our U.S. operations, and this tax reform will further support our efforts to help keep the U.S. a global leader in manufacturing and technology.' ""Cianbro Corp., a major, employee-owned construction company based in Pittsfield, already employs over 1,300 people. The day Congress sent the bill to President Trump, the company announced it intends to hire an additional 300 people next year as a direct result of this new law. ""Indeed, small businesses, which are the true backbone of our economy here in Maine, will receive tax relief that enables them to create more jobs, increase paychecks and grow our economy. Curtis Picard. president of the Retail Association of Maine, recently commented about this tax reform bill, 'For Maine and its nearly 9,000 retail establishments and more than 80,000 retail jobs, this is a welcome relief for small businesses.' ""The bottom line is that the weak economic growth and stagnant wages we have seen in recent years cannot be accepted as the new normal for our country. Hardworking Americans will soon see more money in their paychecks. In the future, Americans will continue to see more benefit from this law in the form of higher wages. And when they do, Mainers are still going to prefer spending their time in Vacationland rather than 'the south of France.'""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cruz.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=3570,VIDEO: Another Incredible Year Fighting For Texans,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HOUSTON, Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following video highlighting his service to 28 million Texans in 2017. From repealing Obamacares individual mandate in Congress historic tax reform bill, to securing five Cruz-authored pieces of legislation signed into law by President Trump, which included his bill to provide immediate tax relief to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Sen. Cruz has fought tirelessly for the Lone Star state. Watch the full video here. I wake up each day grateful to serve 28 million Texans, Sen. Cruz said. Though 2017 has brought its share of challenges to Texas, America has witnessed the resilient, can-do spirit of our state, as we work to rebuild our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. As we reflect on 2017, and look forward to the new year, I remain committed to fighting for Texans in 2018. Sen. Cruz played a critical role in repealing Obamacares individual mandate in Congress historic tax reform bill. By repealing the mandate, 6.5 million Americans who have been unfairly fined by the IRS for not being able to afford health insurance, have immediate and significant relief. Sen. Cruz continues to fight for the millions of Americans who have been hurt under Obamacare, and remains a leader on health care reform efforts. Earlier this year, Sen. Cruz reintroduced Kates Law, which would amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any illegal reentry offense. President Trump signed into law the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included 13 Cruz amendments critical to Texas and U.S. national security. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cruz led the effort to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to honor the will of the American people, and confirm Justice Gorsuch swiftly. Sen. Cruz introduced the El Chapo Act, which would reserve any amounts forfeited to the U.S. Government as a result of the criminal prosecution of El Chapo (formally named Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Lorea) and other drug lords for border security assets and the completion of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Sen. Cruz visited with victims, volunteers, first responders, and local officials in every region affected by the storm. Along with Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Cruz introduced a bill to provide crucial and immediate tax relief to storm survivors along the Gulf Coast, in Puerto Rico, and in the Virgin Islands. President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter. President Trump signed the Cruz-Nelson NASA Transition Authorization Act, which reaffirms NASAs core mission, and ensures the Johnson Space Center remains the crown jewel of NASAs human spaceflight missions. Later, President Trump signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Cruz and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) to disapprove and nullify a drug-testing rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor under the previous administration. The rule undermined the ability of states to conduct drug testing in their unemployment programs. North Korea has grown more hostile toward America and our allies, and is committed to destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region. Sen. Cruz introduced legislation mandating the State Department report on designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, which was included in the bipartisan Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. President Trump signed this bill into law in August and in November affirmatively designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. Additionally, Sen. Cruzs Student Opportunity Amendment, the most far-reaching federal school choice legislation ever passed, was included in Congress tax reform bill. This amendment expands 529 College Savings Plans to include K-12 elementary and secondary school tuition for public, private, and religious schools. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cruz.senate.gov?p=video&id=3571,2017,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Central TX (512) 916-5834 300 E 8th Suite 961 Austin, TX 78701 Email North TX (214) 599-8749 Lee Park Tower II 3626 N. Hall St. Suite 410 Dallas, TX 75219 Email Southeast TX (713) 718-3057 808 Travis Street Suite 1420 Houston, TX 77002 Email South/Cen. TX (210) 340-2885 9901 IH-10W Suite 950 San Antonio, TX 78230 Email East TX (903) 593-5130305 S. Broadway Suite 501 Tyler, TX 75702 Email South TX (956) 686-7339 200 S. 10th St Suite 1603 McAllen, TX 78501 Email Washington, D.C. (202) 224-5922 404 Russell Washington, DC 20510 Contact",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=C809C506-5D7A-4646-8164-3BEABBC93C6C,A Year of Progress: Heller Helps Cut Washington Red Tape,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NV,Dean Heller,H001041,www.heller.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONIn 2017, U.S. SenatorDean Heller (R-NV) joined his colleagues and the Administration in repealing 15 Obama-era regulations, which has beendescribedas the most ambitious regulatory rollback since the Reagan Administration.Ive always said that we need less of Washington in Nevada, and thats why I've fought to cut bureaucratic red tape that inhibits our job creators and the success of our communities, said Heller.By reducing Obama-era bureaucratic red tape, we rejected the failed Washington-knows-best approach that has led to stagnant wages, slow economic growth, and too many Nevadans living paycheck to paycheck. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues and the Administration to achieve historic regulatory reform, and I'll continue to push for solutions that will empower Nevadans - not Washington bureaucrats. Under the previous Administration, the average annual growth for the past eight years was less than two percent. Heller has attributed this anemic rate of economic growth to job-crushing federal regulations, Washington red tape, and a broken tax code, which he has said led to stagnant wages, stifled job creation, and Nevadans bringing home $7,000 less than they were 10 years ago. Through the Congressional Review Act, however, Heller and his colleagues in the U.S. Senate have been able to reverse course. In addition to the economy growing by more than 3 percent since he assumed office, President Trumppointedto the success in the stock market and companies moving back to the United States as signs of economic recovery during remarks in December. We are now reducing the size, scope, and cost of federal regulations for the first time in decades, and we are already seeing the incredible results,said President Trump.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-holds-tax-reform-discussion-at-american-crystal-sugar-to-outline-relief-for-north-dakota-families-small-businesses-farmers-and-ranchers,"Hoeven Holds Tax Reform Discussion at American Crystal Sugar to Outline Relief for North Dakota Families, Small Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers",2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.27.17 Hoeven Holds Tax Reform Discussion at American Crystal Sugar to Outline Relief for North Dakota Families, Small Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers Hoeven Amendment Ensured Fair Treatment of Cooperatives in Tax Bill FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today was joined by Tom Astrup, American Crystal Sugar President and CEO; Jake Joraanstad, a tech entrepreneur and Myriad Mobiles co-founder and CEO; David Mueller, a farmer from Hillsboro; and Vikki Schneeberger, a local teacher, to outline how the tax relief plan benefits North Dakota workers, businesses and families. The new law lowers rates across-the-board for hard-working American families and provides relief for North Dakota small businesses, farmers and ranchers. The senator successfully worked to include an amendment in the bill to ensure fair treatment of cooperatives. Our tax reform legislation provides broad relief for individuals and families in North Dakota, enabling them to keep more of their paychecks, said Hoeven. At the same time, we lower the tax burden on our small businesses, farmers and ranchers. We included important provisions for producers, like raising the estate tax exemption and expanding and making permanent the Section 179 deduction. We also worked very hard to ensure cooperatives and their members are treated fairly so that tax reform works for our states agriculture industry. Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Middle-class Americans will see a tax cut of: More than $1,300 for a single parent with one child earning $41,000. More than $2,000 for a median income family of four earning $73,000. More than $2,600 for a married small business owner earning $100,000. Cuts Tax Rates Across the Board for Hardworking Individuals and Families Increases the standard deduction, which means that Americans will not be taxed on the first $12,000 of income for individuals, $24,000 for married couples and $18,000 for a single parent with dependents. 9 out of 10 taxpayers will likely use the expanded standard deduction. Maintains the state and local tax deduction up to $10,000 for individuals and families. Doubles the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child Preserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Encourages businesses to provide paid family and medical leave by providing a tax credit Preserves the Adoption Tax Credit Retains Retirement Savings Options Continues tax deductions, including for: Student Loan Interest and Tuition Waivers Medical Expenses Charitable Contributions Home Mortgage Interest Benefits to Small Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers Includes Hoevens amendment to ensure the fair treatment of cooperatives and their members. For the first five years, allows full expensing or writing off the cost of new investments, which is phased down over an additional four year period. Expands the Section 179 expensing of equipment on a permanent basis. Doubles the estate tax exemption, while maintaining the step-up in basis for capital gains. Maintains interest deductibility and the property tax deduction for small businesses, farmers and ranchers. Creates a tax deduction of 20% for qualified pass-through income, which reduces the tax burden for small businesses set up as partnerships or pass-through entities. Reduces the tax rate for C corps from 35% to 21%, making the U.S. tax system more competitive globally and bringing more capital and investment back to the U.S. Maintains the IC-DISC program, which enables small and medium businesses, including manufacturers, to reduce taxes on portions of their export income. Includes Hoevens amendment to allow implement and auto dealers to fully expense interest on inventory. Tax relief, combined with regulatory relief, will empower economic growth leading to greater government revenues. While some have claimed the legislation will lead to cuts under pay-go rules, these rules have never been enforced and Congress voted to waive the rule last week. Over time the tax relief bill will help grow the economy and will generate more revenue not less. -###- Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/issue-in-focus?ContentRecord_id=9EED7596-925F-4FF6-93B0-A9CEFFE29A19,They See You When You Travel,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Its a Christmas motif almost as ubiquitous as Christmas trees or sleigh bells families and individuals hastily making their way through airports, balancing presents, bags, and children, excited to make their way home to spend Christmas with their loved ones. Theyre concerned with their flight status, the weather in their destination, their luggage making it to the destination, or the likelihood they will get selected for a random TSA pat-down and any other number of travel-related factors. But in 2018, there may be another worry to add to that already long list of travel woes. At some point next year, the Department Homeland Security (DHS) is hoping to implement mandatory facial scans for all people American citizens included who are flying internationally. In fact, theyve already rolled out this invasive practice in a handful of airports this holiday season. This new invasion of Americans' privacy caught the attention of Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), whos own Logan International Airport was one of the airports selected for the rollout. We wrote a letter together to get more information from DHS about this program. There are a number of issues with this program, including that DHS hasnt instituted a way to let travelers know that they will be subjected to this scan before they fly. But more importantly there is no evidence to show that this facial scan actually works. DHS is hoping to use this technology accurately 96% of the time. But even at that rate 1 of 25 travelers would still be misidentified and improperly flagged by DHS. Additional evidence shows gender and ethnicity increase the likelihood of being improperly flagged. But perhaps the biggest concern is how the government will use this accumulated data and whether or not DHS is even allowed to collect it in the first place. As of now, the information is supposedly only shared with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to check for fraud, and then deleted from the DHS database after 14 days. But in our examination of the program, we have not seen satisfactory safeguards that protect this information from being accessed by third party groups or that show these protocols are actually being followed. The Department of Homeland Security is ushering in this program in an attempt to fulfill a Congressional mandate that says a biometric exit program needs to be in place for international travelers. However, they have gone beyond this directive as the mandate passed by Congress did not allow for facial scans to be used on American citizens. For DHS to do this stands in direct conflict with the Constitution and its 4th Amendment protection of privacy. Until the Department of Homeland Security is willing to address these problems and provide myself, Senator Markey, and Congress sufficient evidence to prove the program falls within the constraints of its Congressional mandate, DHS should provide American citizens with a timely Christmas present protecting their rights by not only stopping this programs expansion, but stopping its use entirely.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=E7B3A774-37DA-409A-86CC-594E23BBF40F,A Tax Cut for Working Families,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The tax cut bill just passed by Congress and signed into law by the president is not perfect. But I voted for it because it will help working families and small businesses, give almost all Americans an immediate pay raise, and create millions of new jobs. But you dont have to take my word for it. In fact, as citizens, you shouldnt take any politicians word for it. And happily, you wont have to. As in any political debate, there has been a lot of overheated speculation about this bill. Some Republicans who opposed my work with Sen. Marco Rubio to change the bill to provide more tax relief directly to working and middle class said that would destroy the bill and crush its chances to spur economic growth. The argument was silly. But so are many of the criticisms of the bill coming from the left. Some Democrats say the bill will only cut taxes for businesses, not individuals. Thats false. The centrist Brookings Institute says the bill will reduce taxes for all income groups in 2018 by an average of $1,600. Some congressional Democrats argued this tax rate reduction plan was the worst bill in American history, apparently forgetting about the Fugitive Slave Act, or the Alien and Sedition Acts. These criticisms are nuts. In total, the bill is estimated to cut some federal taxes by a total of $6.5 trillion over the next ten years, and raise others by $4 trillion over the same period, coming out to a $1.5 trillion tax cut. I am not thrilled about the potential hit to the deficit. But I also believe we cannot tax our way to a balanced budget. The only way to close the deficit is with economic growth and spending discipline. With new jobs, higher wages, and more investment, the larger overall economic pie will give a bigger slice both to American workers and to their government. Over the last two decades, the United States 35 percent corporate tax rate has cost us trillions of dollars in aggregate international investment. The new 20 percent rate in this bill will help bring more of the global economy to our shores, instead of having us send so much of ours overseas. And of course the doubling of the standard deduction and child credit will deliver immediate, substantial tax relief to middle income families. And the good news is, in a few weeks we will be able to ignore the political speculation and rhetoric and just see for ourselves. Now that the bill is law, the IRS will begin to implement the new rules, and paycheck withholding guidelines will change. In another few pay periods, you either will or wont see a raise in your take-home pay. Over the course of the next year, two years, three years, we either will or wont see more Help Wanted signs in business windows. We will or wont see more listings on job-search websites. We will or wont hear about this or that business expanding, opening a new branch or a new plant. The new, $2,000 per-child tax credit which Sen. Rubio and I successfully fought to make available to millions of additional working families wont make raising kids easy. But it will make things like diapers, braces, little league, or piano lessons more affordable again. I voted for this tax bill because I believe it will deliver higher take-home pay, more relief for middle class families, and business tax reform to spur hiring, wage growth, and investment. Every Democrat in the House and Senate voted against the bill because they thought it would not do those things. In a few weeks, well start to see in your paychecks, at your office, in your community who was right.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E321358D-A1F9-4A36-A6AF-238F1D2270D5,Graham Statement On Nephron Giving Raises To All Employees As A Result Of Tax Cut,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,SC,Lindsey Graham,G000359,www.lgraham.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Nephron Pharmaceuticals, a company in West Columbia, South Carolina, announced a five percent pay raise for all employees as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act becoming law. Graham attended the celebration and congratulated Nephron on this significant announcement. I truly enjoyed being a part of todays celebration as Lou and Bill Kennedy the owners and founders of Nephron Pharmaceuticals announced a five percent pay raise for employees as a direct result of the recent tax cut. This pay raise will increase the hourly workforces wage to fifteen dollars per hour and the average salary at Nephron to seventy thousand dollars per year. A five percent pay raise is real money to Nephrons employees. This tax cut will work. It benefits American business and American workers. The combined effect of a five percent pay raise, a tax cut for working people, and an increase in 401k value is the best evidence yet that President Trump and the Republican Congress are delivering for hardworking Americans. The tax cut, along with deregulating America, will continue to grow the economy, making American business more successful and helping working people earn and save. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/ksnt-moran-visits-local-hospital-discusses-chip,"KSNT: Moran visits local hospital, discusses CHIP",2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,,,legacy,"KSNT Courtney Ryan TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) U.S. Senator Jerry Moran is back in Kansas while Congress is on the holiday break. On Wednesday, Moran visited the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus. How we deliver healthcare in Kansas determines a lot of about the future of our state, Moran said. Moran saidwhen he returns to D.C. hell continue to push Congress to find a long-termfunding solution for the CHIP program. CHIP is insurance forchildren whose parents dont qualify for Medicaid, but cant afford private health insurance.Kansas has enough money to fund the program through March. So we get ride of the uncertainty, no family oughtto be worried whether CHIP is going to be available for their children, said Moran. When it comes to theGOP tax plan, which mirrors part of the 2012 Kansas tax plan,Moran explained its effects areexcepted to bedifferent because the U.S. economy is better. What were after and what every city in Kansas and what every citizen of our country needs are more jobs, better paying jobs higher paying jobs, more secure jobs, and jump starting the economy can be so beneficial to so many people, he said. However,the Kansas Democratic Party doesnt agree. This essentially re-runs the same things that Governor Brownback tried and we know in Kansas it just hasnt worked. So there is very little reason to believe that itll work on the federal level, said Ethan Corson, the executive director for the Kansas Democratic Party. Moran also addressed the hold-up with Gov. Sam Brownbacks nomination to serve as Ambassador at-large for International ReligiousFreedom. Part of this has been the slowness of democrats in-particular to approve nominations generally, said Moran.I dont think there is any question about what he would be confirmed, but the process can take longer unless there cooperation from all Senators. Moran addedwhen the Senate gets back to work in 2018 one of the top priorities is finding a way to fund the federal government. Click here to read more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.speaker.gov/photo/month-was-merry-and-bright,A Month that was Merry and Bright,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WI,Paul Ryan,R000570,www.speaker.gov,,,legacy,"In true December fashion, this month was one of the busiest, and most festive, months of the year. While the halls of the Hill were often abuzz with tax reform-related activities, Members of Congress and staff also took the time to celebrate all that comes with the holiday season. We saw the Capitol Christmas Tree take its rightful place on the West Front, the Speaker lit the office Menorah, and more. Here are eight photos that show our favorite moments from the month of December: 1.They said it couldnt be done. Speaker Ryan and fellow House leaders speak to members of the press following the Houses passage of historic, pro-growth tax reform legislation. 2.Signed. Sealed. (Almost) Delivered. Accompanied by Sen. Orrin Hatch, Senate president pro tempore, Speaker Ryan signs theTax Cuts and Jobs Act, sending the legislation to the presidents desk. 3.Good job, bud. Congress passed the largest reform of our countrys tax code in 31 years. During a White House ceremony celebrating Congresss passage of theTax Cuts and Jobs Act, Speaker Ryan and Vice President Pence take a moment to soak it all in. 4.Its lit. Speaker Ryan and 11-year-old Montanan Ridley Brandmayr light the Capitol Christmas Tree. This years tree comes from the Kootenai National Forest in Montana. 5.Its lit, too. Surrounded by servicemembers of the Jewish faith, Speaker Ryan lights the office Menorah on the first night of Hanukkah. 6.We did it! President Trump congratulates Speaker Ryan on a job well done at a White House ceremony celebrating the passage of the largest reform of our countrys tax code in a generation. 7.Merry Christmas, and thank you for your service. Speaker Ryan writes Christmas cards to some of our nations active duty servicemembers at an event hosted by the American Red Cross. 8.And you get a kringle! Speaker Ryan gifts Vice President Pence with a Racine, Wisconsin-made kringle, a Danish pastry, for Christmas. And because it never gets old, heres one last(?) picture of the Capitol Christmas Tree with the lit Capitol Dome. Happy Holidays!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=58883425-0045-4A73-8B28-94AB51CFBC17,Tillis Champions North Carolinas Military Families and Installations,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In 2017, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) was selected to serve as the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, where he has worked on a bipartisan basis to oversee Department of Defense (DOD) personnel policies, including compensation, benefits, education and healthcare for servicemembers, their families, and DOD civilian employees. In addition, he has used his position on the Senate Armed Services Committee over the last three years to champion North Carolinas military installations including Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson and has advanced initiatives that reaffirm North Carolinas status as the nations tip of the spear. Senator Tillis top priorities on the Armed Services Committee. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis bipartisan focus as chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis on the impact the 2018 NDAA will have for servicemembers. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis has worked to improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families at Camp Lejeune. Senator Tillis secured provisions in the FY2018 NDAA to make much-needed improvements to the living quarters and other essential facilities at Camp Lejeune, including over $100 million for the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and a Water Treatment Plan Replacement. Tillis said his visits to North Carolinas military installations helped shape the direction of the NDAA. The visits and discussions with military leaders helped set priorities for the bill, he said. At Camp Lejeune, Tillis said there was a clear case of haves and have-nots in on-base housing and other facilities. He said he heard stories of Marines coming into work on their days off to repair roofs and covering desks to protect working spaces from the elements.Quite frankly, theyre unacceptable, Tillis said of the conditions at some on-post facilities.Tillis said that while not as flashy as new planes or ships, the provisions he fought for in the NDAA could have a lasting impact on the nations military. He said hes confident most of those key provisions will remain in the final version of the bill. (Fayetteville Observer, 7/29/2017) Senator Tillis has been dedicated to providing proper medical care to our men and women in uniform. Earlier this year, Senator Tillis visited Camp Lejeune and announced a plan to improve trauma care at Camp Lejeune that could benefit both the Marine Corps and Eastern North Carolina residents and will change Camp Lejeune base hospital from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune to Navy Medical Center Camp Lejeune. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced a plan Wednesday to improve trauma care at Camp Lejeune, a tweak that could benefit both the Marine Corps and Eastern North Carolinaresidents.While the trauma plan will likely take at least five months to come to fruition, the senator also immediately announced the change of the base hospital from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune to Navy Medical Center Camp Lejeune.As soon as later this year, the medical center could be prepared to offer trauma care to civilians -- an effort Tillis and military professionals believe will give Marine medical personnel hands-on experience effectively preparing them for combat. The hospital would then partner with local healthcare providers, highlighted by Onslow Memorial Hospital, to offer rehabilitation.When we think about readiness, we generally think about the soldier on the battlefield, said Tillis, who visited Camp Lejeune Wednesday. We dont think about everything else that has to happen to ensure the soldier returns home as safe and healthy as possible.(Jacksonville Daily News, 6/1/2017) As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committees Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Tillis has held hearings on Military Family Readiness Programs and Concussions. In February, Senator Tillis held a hearing to receive testimony on the Department of Defense single servicemember and military family readiness programs. Senator Tillis questioned military leaders about the need to improve childcare services for military families, as well as military initiatives to expand employment opportunities for military spouses. Click HERE to watch Senator Tillis Remarks. Senator Tillis also held a hearing to bring attention to the importance of research, diagnosis, and treatment for traumatic brain injury/concussion in servicemembers. ClickHEREto watch Senator Tillis Opening Statement. ClickHEREto watch the full hearing. Senator Tillis has worked to grow Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Senator Tillis secured $15 million for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point that guarantees the construction of the Vertical Lift Fan Test Facility and ensures the future home of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters in North Carolina. Senator Tillis also secured over $25 million that paves the way for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base so home a squadron of KC-46 Air Force Tankers. Earlier this year, the United States Air Force selected Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as the Main Operating Base for a KC-46A Pegasus Air Refueling Squadron North Carolina will house a new generation of Air Force tankers designed formidflight refueling of aircraft. Its beentwo years sincethe Air Force picked Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as its preferred location for a KC-46A Pegasus Air Refueling Squadron. Now its official. The bases environmental assessment has been completed and, pending delivery by Boeing, the 12 tanker aircraft could be at Seymour Johnson by 2020, the Air Force confirmed Wednesday.(Raleigh N&O, 9/13/2017) Senator Tillis has advocated on behalf of military families. Another provision secured by Senator Tillis in the FY2018 NDAA authorizes $40 million in supplemental impact aid to local educational agencies with military dependent children and $10 million in impact aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities and $1 million for a pilot program on public-private partnerships for telework facilities to facilitate spousal employment on military installations outside the United States. Senator Tillis has been creating opportunities for servicemembers to find jobs. In September, Senator Tillis co-introduced legislation that is awaiting signature by the President that streamlines and eases the burden on the process whereby active-duty military, reservists and veterans apply for their commercial drivers license. The new law will allow the experience they gained serving our nation in a civilian capacity and not force them to go through a duplicative credentialing process to obtain a commercial drivers license. Sen. Thom Tillis has joined with senators from Texas and Massachusetts to introduce a bill that would simplify the process for troops and veterans to apply for a commercial drivers license. Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Sens. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, and Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, introduced The Jobs for our Heroes Act of 2017. According to officials, the legislation streamlines and eases the burden on the process whereby active-duty military, reservistsand veterans apply for their commercial drivers license. The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act of 2015 provided similar benefits for veterans applying for a CDL, according to Tillis office. The Jobs for our Heroes Act of 2017 would permanently extend those same benefits to those still in uniform. (Fayetteville Observer, 6/25/2017) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=AD80C283-2523-4F4E-A472-99F0291107A6,Congress working to protect veterans from risky loans,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Federal agencies want to make it tougher for bad lenders to target veterans. One Senatoris among other members of Congress working on ways to protect service members from risky loans. ""There are some bad actors out there and we are going to go after them"" Senator Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, wants to crack down on lender pushing bad loans on veterans. ""They are sending a mailer to someone's home who's financially stressed. Their spouse may be deployed. They are trying to figure out how to pay the bills; this looks like it is going to save them money or not cost them anything, when in fact it is providing little to no value. Those are the sorts of practices we need to get rid of."" The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says in 2016, it received more than 12,500 mortgage complaints from service members and their dependents. Officials say concerns included churning an illegal practice where loans are refinanced over and over again with no benefit to the borrower. This year, officials are increasing efforts to prevent veterans from being targets The federal government created a task force to examine abusive lending practices. Task force members say potential solutions include stronger requirements for lenders who are targeting veterans. Members of Congress are also working on legislation to protect service members. ""We've spent time with the industry and the VA. We crafted a baseline bill that. I think we are going to get bipartisan support,"" said Sen. Tillis. That support that could help eliminate lending practices that hurt veterans. Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=C9C1B93E-4F00-4B0E-A64D-D91CD6D44E03,Local farmers tell Sen. Tillis of need for farm labor,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Standing in a cold warehouse, their gloved hands working in a tub of cold water, immigrant workers at Danny McConnells farm are doing the tedious job of cleaning ginger root, a specialty crop McConnell grows. If American workers apply, McConnell is happy to give them a shot. We have people that come to us, Give me a job, I need a job. And then when it comes time they never show up, he said. Either (they) dont show up or theyll come work a little bit and thats it. With the ginger-root cleaning task as a backdrop, McConnell greeted U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis on Friday and offered first-hand testimony on why farmers want Congress to pass an immigration reform bill that will ensure an adequate supply of labor. We need employees, McConnell said a few minutes before the senator arrived. We want employees that are not afraid that theyre going to be deported if the paperworks not all right or whatever. Even if you do have legal documentation, when it gets in Washington, sometimes the numbers dont match up and you have to verify that and thats very very hard to do. Tillis has made headlines in recent weeks as a leading sponsor of a bill that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to stay as long as they as theyre employed, in school or serving in the military. Tillis traveled to Hendersonville Friday to hear about farm labor concerns, first on McConnells farm and later in a room filled with farmers, agribusiness leaders and others interested in the issue, including state Sen. Chuck Edwards and Rep. Chuck McGrady. Farmers, agribusiness leaders and elected officials urged U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis to protect farm labor in immigration reform legislation.Ive been listening to the farmers since I was in the state Legislature, Tillis said. Part of what Im trying to do is go back and tell stories to other members who arent listening to the farmers and recognizing the issue they have with farm labor. Last week I was with about 30 or 40 dairy farmers near Statesville. The week before that I was with four or five hundred farmers at their annual meeting in the Greensboro area and theres one consistent theme. If we dont get labor inputs right then they are going to go out of business. Tillis, the state House speaker elected in 2014 in the most expensive Senate race ever, acknowledged that hes working to bring his fellow Republicans around on immigration. But he added that Democrats, too, are part of the blockade. One (aspect) is the so-called dreamers, he said. But when you get to the work visa program you have as many Democrats opposed to fixing the problem as you do Republicans. The Republicans oppose it because they falsely believe theres enough American workers to do the job at a price that we can remain competitive globally. The Democrats are opposed to it because labor unions want to increase the price (of labor) to a point that you get to the same outcome. When America starts relying on other nations to feed us, its hard to gin these things back up once we lose that base. Tillis said when he goes back to Washington after visiting North Carolina farmers, he tries to convey the urgency of what hes heard. You have a lot of people that dont understand that the people who put food on our table are competing against international competition, he said. Even when you raise the hourly rate, for whatever reason we do not have enough American workers willing to fill the need, and if you raise the rate too far then youre not going to have a viable business. Sadly, what Im doing more than anything else is reporting very specific stories of farmers who are on the brink of no longer being able to do what theyve been doing for generations, he said. McConnell provided more testimony to support that. He grows 20 acres of strawberries, 50 acres of apples and 60 acres of vegetables plus specialty crops. McConnell needs 25 farmworkers at peak season, although he had only half that many this past summer. We just got along the best we could, he said. I did not plant as much anticipating that this might happen. We left some stuff in the field. We did not leave any apples. Our apples were a little bit on the light side. Read the article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-applauds-release-detained-stony-brook-professor,Rep. Zeldin Applauds Release of Detained Stony Brook Professor,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today after the ordered release of Patrice Nganang, a Stony Brook professor, who has been detained in Cameroon, by the Cameroonian government, since December 6, 2017: Earlier this year, I joined my colleagues in authoring a letter to Ambassador Nikki Haley underscoring our concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Cameroon and the Cameroonian governments actions to undermine the equality of all citizens, especially the Anglophone minority. On December 6th, this deteriorating situation hit home with the arrest of Stony Brook Professor Patrice Nganang. Since his arrest, my office has been in contact with Stony Brook University, the State Department, and his family, and, today, his long overdue release was finally ordered. In the face of an increasingly oppressive government, Professor Nganang has worked tirelessly for a better future for his country and family.. As Professor Nganang fights for the freedom of all Cameroonians, we fought for his. I look forward to his safe return home to his loved ones and the Stony Brook University community.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398580,Promise Kept: Tax Cuts For Middle Class Families and West Michigan Job Creators,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,MI,Bill Huizenga,H001058,huizenga.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last week, Congress delivered on an important promise with a once in a generation vote to enact tax reform. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act overhauls our tax code for the first time in three decades by cutting taxes for hardworking taxpayers, small businesses and West Michigan companies.This legislation delivers tax relief for West Michigan by lowering rates, nearly doubling the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for families, and doubling the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000. Additionally, the Child Tax Credit will also be refundable up to $1,400 for low income families with little to no tax liability. As a community, West Michigan is known for opening its doors to children in need of a forever home. If a loving family wants to welcome a child into their home, the federal government should encourage the removal of financial barriers to adoption. I am happy to report that my efforts to restore the Adoption Tax Credit were successful and it will be maintained. As a former licensed Realtor, I know homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act supports this deeply held belief by maintaining mortgage interest deductibility on all current mortgages. Interest on new mortgages will be deductible up to $750,000, which encompasses approximately 98 percent of all homes in the United States. Additionally, taxpayers will be able to write off up to $10,000 in state and local income, property, and sales taxes. West Michigan wouldnt be the community it is today if it were not for the generosity of individuals who donate their hard-earned dollars to local churches, charities and community organizations. Under this legislation, the ability to deduct charitable donations is preserved. Another way the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide relief for middle class taxpayers is by cutting taxes for job creators of all sizes in West Michigan. Over the last two decades, small businesses have been the engine of economic growth. That is why the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides small businesses a significant tax cut that will allow these local entrepreneurs, whether it is the pizza or small manufacturing shop, to invest, create new jobs and grow right here in West Michigan. Remember when Perrigo left West Michigan and moved their headquarters to Ireland? That is a real world example of an ineffective corporate tax code. By closing loopholes and eliminating special interest carve outs for the biggest companies in America, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Keep in mind, even President Obama proposed a 25 percent corporate tax rate for manufacturing. We need to have a tax rate that levels the playing field and allows job creators of all sizes to compete against foreign companies while investing in Michigan. Unfortunately, when high profile legislation such as tax reform is debated, the rhetoric surrounding the issue often diverges from reality. Recently the left-leaning Tax Policy Center, who has been critical of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, found in their analysis that the share of federal taxes paid by the 1 percent will rise, while the bottom 80 percent of taxpayers will see greater tax relief. The argument that this tax cut is for the rich is false. This is a tax cut for hardworking, middle class families and job creators across West Michigan. When tax cuts were enacted under presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush, our economy grew, new jobs were created, and federal revenues increased. Those who claim that letting West Michigan residents keep more of their hard-earned money adds to the debt are misguided at best. Our debt isnt caused by a lack of revenue, its Washingtons addiction to spending. This problem isnt easy to tackle, but it is why I have supported legislation to reduce our spending by $6.5 trillion over the short, medium, and long term. Big spenders in Washington dont understand. This isnt their money in the first place, its yours. Tax reform is something I fought for since I was first elected to represent the Second District. I believe this pro-growth legislation will have a positive impact on West Michigan. For too long, hardworking taxpayers have been sending too much money to Washington. By working with President Trump, Republicans in Congress were able to enact historic tax reform that will increase paychecks, create jobs and grow our economy. This piece originally appeared in theHolland Sentinel.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-rep-andy-biggs-mr-mueller-end-witch-hunt,"OP-ED: Rep. Andy Biggs: Mr. Mueller, end the witch hunt",2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1626 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/costello-lauds-passage-firefighter-grant-legislation,Costello lauds passage of firefighter grant legislation,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"West Chester >> U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6 of West Goshen, applauded House passage of H.R. 4661, the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act, which passed this week on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. The legislation reauthorizes grant programs for six years, including the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The legislation also provides for better oversight of the grants and training for grant administration. These programs provide critical support for firefighter and emergency response companies. Both of these grants are awarded through a competitive process to career and volunteer fire departments, and both grants are intended to help meet equipment, training, and staffing needs. In Pennsylvanias 6th Congressional District, firefighters and first responders have used these grants for self-loading stretchers for ambulances, coats, portable radios, boots, and gloves, among other resources. Communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the country rely on brave first responders, and firefighters and emergency response officials need the appropriate equipment to safely and effectively do their work, said Costello. I have been proud to support federal grants that help provide vital resources to our local fire departments. Since coming to Congress, Costello has signed onto funding requests for the AFG program and the SAFER Grant program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/oc-register-op-ed-tax-relief-holidays,OC Register Op-Ed: Tax relief for the holidays,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,CA,Mimi Walters,W000820,walters.house.gov,,,legacy,"By: Congresswoman Mimi Walters https://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/26/tax-relief-for-the-holidays/ I was born and raised in California and have been lucky to call Orange County home for over 50 years. The Golden State is home to beautiful weather, great people and a rich history. Unfortunately, it is also the highest taxed state due to the California State Legislature, which irresponsibly raises taxes and spends beyond its means. From income to property to gasoline, there is nothing Sacramento will not tax. After witnessing the fiscal recklessness of the Democrat supermajority in Sacramento, I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure the federal government doesnt similarly abuse hard-working taxpayers. I previously expressed reservations about this bill, but after successfully negotiating the best deal for Orange County residents, I voted in favor of tax reform legislation that lowers federal tax rates for everyone, protects popular deductions, and puts America back on track to prosperity through economic growth. The status quo was unacceptable. For too long, our tax code was broken full of special interest loopholes and a tax structure that encouraged companies to ship jobs overseas. The Tax Reform and Jobs Act ends those perverse incentives and establishes rules that benefit American workers and businesses. This bill is the product of many years of hearings, debate, and discussion, and embodies the pro-growth tax reform principles that Republicans, including myself, have always supported. These reforms provide relief for middle-class Americans. Rates are decreased across the board, and the standard deduction is nearly doubled, meaning that under the new tax code, the first $12,000 of income for individual filers and first $24,000 of income for joint filers, is tax-free. This means Americans keep more of their paychecks. Its the peoples money, not the governments. This bill will also make more Americans secure in their retirement plans. A majority of the country invests in the stock market through 401(k) accounts, pension plans, and other means. The reforms contained in this bill will jumpstart the economy, helping to create future earnings for millions of Americans who will be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Additionally, rates for small businesses and job creators are significantly reduced. In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, U.S. companies need a business climate that allows them to create jobs and reinvest in our country, while increasing opportunities and wages for American workers. As I mentioned, I had serious reservations about previous versions of this legislation. However, after a great deal of negotiation, I secured substantial improvements to the bill that will benefit Orange County taxpayers. First, the state and local tax deduction was preserved up to $10,000, which will help Californians offset some of the burden that comes from Sacramentos out of control fiscal policies. For Californias 45th congressional district, where the average income is just under $95,000 a year, people earning between $100,000 and $150,000 per year deduct an average of $6,600 in state and local taxes, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Orange County residents will also benefit from an increase in the mortgage interest deduction to $750,000 for new mortgages, up from $500,000 in the original bill. Existing mortgages are grandfathered under current law. According to 2016 Census Data, the median home price in Californias 45th congressional district is $685,800. This improvement helps the middle class attain the American Dream of homeownership. Additional improvements will help families, students, and working adults. The childcare tax credit is doubled to $2,000, so families across the country will receive the tax relief they need to raise the next generation. Important deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, student loan interest, graduate school waivers, and school supplies purchased by teachers with their own money are preserved. Much like when Californias own Ronald Reagan overhauled Americas tax code, defenders of the status quo are quick to spread misinformation and obstruct long overdue tax reform. In fact, in the three years after the John F. Kennedy era tax cuts, the country experienced over 6.5 percent annual economic growth. The Reagan tax cuts resulted in 4.6 percent annual economic growth. There is historical proof that tax cuts that let Americans keep more of their own money results in robust economic growth and strengthens our Nation. While those in Sacramento love to stick it to California taxpayers, I was sent to Washington, DC to improve the lives of Orange County residents. This bill will do just that. The American economy will flourish and, as the sixth largest economy in the world, California will benefit the most. I wish you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous 2018. Mimi Walters represents the 45th Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-122617,Washington Watch - 12/26/17,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"PRESIDENT TRUMP TO SIGN WOODALL LEGISLATION INTO LAW When I visit schools around the Seventh District, I am often asked, Where do the ideas for new laws come from? The answer that I give most often is that a constituent came to me with a problem, and we worked together to craft a solution. That was the case last week when the House passedS. 1393, the Jobs for Our Heroes Act.Section 2 of this bill, which is now on its way to the White House to be signed into law, is the exact text of my bill, H.R. 2547. It allows VA medical professionals physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, advance practice nurses to conduct the medical examinations necessary for a veteran to be able to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation. This common-sense legislation was approved by bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate, and it is going to help veterans get back to work faster. I was proud to have worked with my main Democrat co-sponsor, Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA) on this measure as well as my friend Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA) on the final version of this bill. Despite what you may hear elsewhere, bipartisanship is alive and well in Congress, and the Jobs for Our Heroes Act is a prime example of how we can work together to make a difference. FUNDING GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND SUPPORTING DISASTER AREAS While most of the focus last week was on tax reform, Congress also passed a couple of spending bills. The first was a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund our federal agencies and programs through January 19, 2018. The CR also included a temporary extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as well as funding through March 2018 for the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). President Trump signed the CR into law at the end of last week. The House has passed full-year measures for funding and reauthorizations for CHIP and Community Health Centers, but the Senate has not yet acted on any of these bills. My expectation is that Senate will resume work on a FY2018 appropriations package in the early days of 2018 with the goal of completing it before the CR expires. The second spending bill to pass last week was an emergency disaster funding measure, and it was designed to assist with the ongoing recovery and relief efforts for those who were impacted earlier this year by devastating hurricanes and those who are currently being impacted by wildfires. Tens of billions have already been dedicated to those American families affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017. President Trump asked for another $40 billion in emergency funding and suggested offsets to pay for it, but by the time the bill reached the House floor, all of the offsets had disappeared and the bill had grown to more than $80 billiononly 15% of which (according to CBO) is actually going toward disaster relief in FY2018. That isnt rightnot for those families in need and not for the American taxpayer. I stand with our families in need, and I will continue to work with the Administration on disaster relief and support Administration requests for funding and offsets. Hopefully, with work, we can eliminate the non-emergency dollars in this bill and put 100% of the bill toward disaster recovery. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION TAX REFORM As a Christmas gift to millions of American families, President Trump signed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on Friday morning. As you likely know, the bill was approved by both the House and Senate last Wednesday, marking the first major overhaul of our income tax code since 1986.Certainly, there is still much to do, but there is much to celebrate about this iteration of tax reform. I am confident that its reforms will deliver tax relief for hardworking Americans from all walks of life and fuel our economy for years to come. Though there are far too many reforms to mention them all here, I do want to share some of the more significant provisions with you. Click on the picture below to watch my remarks in support of H.R. 1. On the individual side of our tax code, the final version of H.R. 1 significantly increases the standard deduction to shield nearly double the amount of money every American can earn before paying income taxes, and it also lowers tax rates so taxpayers can keep more of their hard-earned money. Though many credits and deductions were eliminated in the name of simplifying the tax code, H.R. 1 preserves several of those that are most beneficial to many American taxpayers, including the mortgage interest deduction, the state and local tax deduction, the charitable contribution deduction, and the medical expense deduction, to name a few. For families with children, H.R. 1 expands the child credit from $1,000 to $2,000, preserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and maintains the Earned Income Tax Credit. Businesses of all sizes will also see a simpler tax code and a reduced tax burden beginning in 2018. For small business organized as pass-through entities, H.R. 1 offers a first-ever 20% tax deduction so that more business income can be invested in employees and growing the company. And for larger businesses competing in todays global economy, the corporate tax rate will fall from 35 percentthe highest in the industrialized worldto 21 percent, a reform that will make American businesses more competitive overnight. Further, H.R. 1 shifts America from a world-wide system of taxation to a new territorial system that will end the outdated practice of double taxing foreign earnings brought back to the U.S. for investment while repealing the incentives in current law that reward companies that offshore jobs and income. Again, there are far too many good things about H.R. 1 for me to share them all here so I invite you all to use the links below to read more about it. I hope you all are as excited as I am about beginning a new year with a brand new tax code. And if the last few days are any indication, hard-working Americans have a lot to look forward to in terms of benefits. Several companies (Boeing, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Comcast) have already announced new billion dollar investments in their American operations, immediate bonuses for hundreds of thousands of front-line employees, and increases in the minimum wage for entry level employees (up to $15 per hour). This is just the beginning folks. I expect more companies to announce how they are going to use their tax savings to invest in their employees and in the American economy as this law goes into effect in the coming year. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SANCTIONS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS The headlines last week focused on passage of landmark tax reform legislation and another necessary government funding package, but amidst all that, the White House was taking a bold step forward in punishing human rights abusers and perpetrators of worldwide corruption schemes. In 2016, Congress passed a law called the Global Magnitsky Act named after Russian citizen Sergei Magnitsky who was killed while in government custody after exposing corruption in the Russian government which allows the President to impose visa bans and targeted sanctions on any individual in the world who is responsible for committing or supporting human rights violations and who engages in corruption. Last week, President Trump used this law to impose sanctions and visa bans on 53 people and organizations, including Major General Maung Maung Soe, a Burmese general who is responsible for an ethnic cleansing operation of the Rohingya minority in Burma. Sanctions were also levied against: Yahya Jammeh, the former President of the Gambia who created a terror and assassination squad in that country to silence political opposition; Slobodan Tesic, one of the biggest illegal arms dealers in the Balkans; Gulnara Karimova, the head of a powerful organized crime syndicate in Uzbekistan that engaged in extortion and bribery of government officials; and Mukhtar Hamid Shah, a Pakistani doctor who Pakistani law enforcement believe is the ring-leader of a human organ trafficking ring, to name a few. The Declaration of Independence is clear when it says: [w]e hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happieness. From 1776 to today, we believe as Americans that all people are equal whether here or abroad and it is our responsibility to stand up to those who would take away the God-given rights of every person through horrific crimes like ethnic cleansing and politically-motivated assassinations. Im proud of President Trump for taking these actions, and I support him continuing to single-out for punishment even more heinous actors around the world. CELEBRATING STATE CHAMPIONS IN SUWANEE! With a productive week in Washington keeping me occupied, I wasnt able to attend the celebration in Suwanee last week, but I sure am proud of the North Gwinnett High School football team, and all those who helped them reach the remarkable achievement of becoming the 7A State Champions! The Seventh District alone --andthe entire State of Georgia -- is home to incredible schools with top-notch academic and athletic programs, so to rise to the top in such a competitive field is truly impressive. A Suwanee native and former North Gwinnett High School quarterback, Mayor Jimmy Burnette, said it best when he talked about how the journey to this point was a long one, but shows just how far hard work and commitment can take us as individuals, teams, and communities. Team sports are such a great way to demonstrate this principle, and Im grateful to have the kind of local leadership that is empowering our young people with these opportunities to learn and be successful. Congratulations once again to North Gwinnett High School and the Suwanee community for this victory! As is almost always the case, successes are the culmination of a great deal of hard work, many failures along the way, the lessons learned through them, and the support of so many behind the scenes. Its a moment well-earned, and were proud of you! FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS RANK TOP IN THE STATE The stories of success just keep coming! In our community it doesnt seem to matter which direction you look, youll find real-world examples of tangible success and excellence in just about any field you choose. If you hadnt heard yet, it was recently announced that Forsyth County public schools ranks higher than any other public system in the state on the College and Career Readiness Performance Index! Of course, this isnt the first accolade earned by our fantastic educators here at home, but it is yet another one. These kinds of results give our voice in places like Washingtontremendous credibility, and Im so appreciative of our local leaders who make that a reality. When I share our story of success on Capitol Hill, it isnt just my voice, its a proven track record from a diverse community that is working together to get things done. That matters, and it makes a big difference as we work to shape federal policy that partners with, and empowers, those back home. The message of local decision-making and freedom to craft tailored solutions for individual communities isnt hypothetical in the Seventh District its a way of life, and Im grateful. As Assessment and Accountability Director of Forsyth County Schools, Beth Kieffer, said, We are blessed here by a community with high expectations. And beyond that, we have excellent students who want to excel, and I couldnt agree more. Congratulations! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR This is truly the most wonderful time of the year. No matter how your family celebrates the holiday season, it is hard not to get caught up in the season of joy and giving, family and traditions. Across the Seventh District you can see Christmas trees, Menorahs, poinsettias, wreathes, lights,and so much more celebrating and sharing the holiday spirit with our entire community. This is by far one of my favorite parts of representing our district. The ability to take part in and see that vast diversity of traditions present in our community warms the heart, and I am incredibly thankful for how each of our different celebrationsenriches and benefits our community. While the holiday decorations on the outside of every home are beautiful, what is more inspiringis the generous and caring spirit that fills each home and every person. The holiday season is so much more than a time of year or an actual season, but rather a reminder to cherish and love one another, to enjoy the warm company of friends and family, and to pursue the dream of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours. See you in the New Year! Sincerely, Rob Woodall Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/bonner-county-daily-bee-students-nominated-to-military-academies,Bonner County Daily Bee: Students nominated to military academies,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Jim Risch has announced his nominations to the United States military academies for the 2018-2019 school year. The nominees were selected from dozens of applicants and will now be considered by each of the four academies for final selection. This years nominees have met the high standards required to attend our military academies and each of them have demonstrated a level of commitment to our nation that is commendable, said Sen. Risch. They are each truly deserving of this honor and I applaud them for their efforts. From Bonner and Boundary County, nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., are Kyle Almeida, Sandpoint; Matthew Klein, Sagle; Victor Rae, Bonners Ferry; and Dutton Rogers, Sandpoint. From the two norther counties, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado is Victor Rae, Bonners Ferry. Those interested in applying for future nominations to the military academies can find details on Senator Rischs website or by contacting Frances Hasenoehrl at frances_hasenoehrl@risch. senate.gov. Link to Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A2F03A10-230B-43BA-BEF6-59558E064005,Tillis Works Across the Aisle for Veterans,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"During his first three years as a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Tillis has worked across the aisle to expand education and job opportunities for veterans and has worked to reform the VA to assure they are getting the healthcare they need and deserve. Senator Tillis priorities for the VA Committee in 2018. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis on what a veteran should do if they're having issues with the VA. CLICK HERE to watch the video. CLICK HERE to download the video. Senator Tillis has improved educational benefits for veterans. Senator Tillis co-introduced the bipartisan TheHarry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 that was signed into law. The comprehensive G.I. Bill reform package included the following legislation originally introduced by Senator Tillis as standalone legislation: TheVeterans Education Experience Improvement Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) improves veterans experience when using GI Bill education benefits and provide resources and training for the officials at educational institutions who serve student veterans, helping them achieve positive education outcomes. TheVeterans Education Relief and Reinstatement Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reinstates lost benefits to veterans whose Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits are affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. TheVeterans Education Priority Enrollment Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) ensures that veterans, servicemembers, and surviving spouses and children of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty can take full advantage of their education benefits. TheYellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation Tillis introduced with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) extends Yellow Ribbon Program benefits to Fry scholarship recipients. Congress has sent to the president a bill to revise and expand the G.I. Bill, a program that provides college money to military personnel, veterans and their dependents. Lawmakers who represent Fort Bragg, including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, are celebrating the legislation. The Senate approved the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act Of 2017 on Wednesday. According to Tillis office, the bill would eliminate the 15-year period within which a veteran is required to use the G.I. Bill. (Fayetteville Observer, 8/3/2017) Senator Tillis has strengthened VA Accountability. Senator Tillis co-sponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act that was signedinto law. The bipartisan legislation reforms the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing the secretary to dismiss bad employees and ensure appropriate due process protections for whistleblowers. Last week, the President signed a bill that enables the Department of Veteran Affairs to more easily fire problem employees, and the move drew praise from two of Rowan Countys members of Congress.On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. As its name suggests, the measure provides protections for whistleblowers and gives greater authority to the VA secretary to remove, demote or suspend any employee for poor performance or misconduct.Tillis, who co-sponsored the measure in the Senate, said the bill gives the VA long-overdue authority to remove bad actors. (Salisbury Post, 6/26/2017) Senator Tillis has continued to fight on behalf of Camp Lejeune affected by tainted water. After years of work, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a regulation in March announcing compensation payments to Marines suffering from health problems caused by tainted water at Camp Lejeune.Senator Tillis has worked with Senator Burr since being elected to fight for medical coverage and compensation for Lejeune veterans suffering from medical conditions including multiple kinds of cancer and Parkinsons disease. A $2.2 billion promise from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is just the beginning, according to members of Congress.For U.S. Rep. Walter Jones and Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, all Republicans from North Carolina, the compensation can be applauded but shouldnt overshadow the work that needs to continue to be done to provide compensation for family members and contractors also affected by the contaminated water. Tillis said his team is going to focus on helping those veterans who may have started the claim process more than a year ago, then shift to the family members and contractors next, keeping in mind the mechanics of the process are going to be helpful. (JD News, 3/26/2017) Senator Tillis has helped veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Language from theHelping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act,bipartisan legislationintroduced by Senators Tillis and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), was included in the FY2018 NDAA. This provision creates a center of excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who become sick after exposure. Legislation introduced last week would compel the Department of Veterans Affairs to look more closely at the affectstoxic burn pits have had on the nation's veterans. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act on Tuesday. The legislation, if approved, would create a center of excellence within the VA to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who become sick after exposure. (Fayetteville Observer, 2/11/2017) Senator Tillis has worked to modernize the DoD & VA healthcare collaboration. Earlier this year, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin announced that the VA will adopt the same Electronic Health Record (EHR) system as the Department of Defense for veterans medical records. Senator Tillis secured a provision in the FY2018 NDAA that lays the groundwork for military treatment facilities to provide health care to servicemembers, dependents, veterans and civilians. The services will be able to maintain critical wartime medical readiness skills while also providing state of the art specialty care to medically underserved communities. Senator Tillis provisions would require a Comptroller General report of Department of Defense measures to maintain critical wartime medical readiness skills and core competencies of health care providers. Senator Tillis has worked to increase job opportunities for veterans. Senator Tillis co-introduced The Veteran Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform (VALOR) Act that was signed into law. The legislation increases access to apprenticeship-training programs for veterans by streamlining the certification process for non-federal apprenticeship programs based in more than one state. This year, Senator Tillis also co-introduced the Boosting Rates of American Veterans Employment (BRAVE) Act, bipartisan legislation that would support job creation for Americas veterans. Senator Tillis has advocated to extend newborn care for veterans. In April, Senator Tillis co-introduced The Newborn Care Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that woulddouble the number of days veterans receive care for their newborns from seven to 14. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-christmas-codel-travels-kuwait-visit-deployed-service,Rep. Zeldins Christmas CODEL Travels to Kuwait to Visit Deployed Service Members and Participate in Diplomatic and Military Meetings,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Download and view additional high resolution photos here. KUWAIT - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, departed Afghanistan for Kuwait to continue celebrating the holiday season with deployed U.S. service members and participate in several high level diplomatic and military meetings. Representative Zeldin is leading the bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) that also includes Congressman David Cicilline (D, RI-1), Congressman Mike Coffman (R, CO-6), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-8). Having visited U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait over Christmas in December 2015 and Afghanistan and Qatar over Christmas in December 2016, this is Congressman Zeldins third consecutive year spending the holidays in the Middle East with deployed U.S. service members. In addition to Kuwait, Congressman Zeldins CODEL spent Christmas Day in Afghanistan and is traveling to additional countries within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. Click here for yesterdays press release. It is my highest honor to be able to personally thank all of our deployed men and women abroad for their tremendous sacrifice on behalf of a very grateful nation. It is not easy for them to spend the holiday season several thousand miles away from home having great family and friends missing them around the Christmas Tree or Hanukkah Menorah, Congressman Zeldin said. For many of our deployed military and diplomatic personnel, this isnt their first holiday season away from their loved ones. Being able to visit New Yorkers stationed abroad, let them know how much they are appreciated, and receive their critical feedback from the ground, is the absolute least I can do to make sure they know how much countless Americans are thinking about them, praying for them, and filled with enormous gratitude for their incredible sacrifice. In Kuwait, on December 26, 2017, Congressman Zeldins CODEL and U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman met at the National Assembly with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah. Congressman Zeldin also visited Camp Arifjan where he shared a holiday lunch with deployed New Yorkers, and met with the leadership of the Combined Joint Task Force of Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. Army Central. Afterwards, he visited Al Jaber Air Base where he joined the Marines stationed there for dinner, including several NY-1 residents, following a briefing from the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z