releases: https://rokita.house.gov/editorial/11-17-2017-rokita-report
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://rokita.house.gov/editorial/11-17-2017-rokita-report | 11-17-2017 Rokita Report | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IN | Todd Rokita | R000592 | rokita.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 115th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well, as we work together to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington. For daily updates, please take a moment to "Like" my Facebook page by clicking here or follow me on Twitter if you prefer @ToddRokita. In this week's Rokita Report Tax Reform Passes the House Strong Support for Tax Reform Celebrating Veterans Day Tax Reform is a Win for Hoosiers On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This bill is about the middle class and helping elevate ordinary American families. The proposed reforms would lift Indiana's economy and create 20,000 new jobs in the next decade. Middle-class families in Indiana will have their after-tax income lifted by $2,468. The last time we rewrote the tax code was in 1986. Since then, thousands of amendments have been issued and created a patchwork that favors the politically connected. This bill offers real reforms and wins including: Saving the average family of four over $1,000 a year. Simplifying the tax code, so that for the 2018 year most families could file on a postcard. Doubling the standard deduction that most Hoosiers rely on. Lowering the individual tax rates for low and middle-income Americans. Creating a new Family Credit expanding the child tax credit to $1,600. Nearly 60,000 residents of the 4th Congressional District claim this credit. Repealing the death tax that burdens family businesses and farms. Expanding 529 education plans for K-12 education to help parents choose the best school for their kids. Allowing business to expand by immediately writing off the cost of new equipment. Reducing the tax rate for small businesses to the lowest rate since World War II. Getting to this point has been an open and cooperative process. Last year, House Republicans unveiled the Better Way policy agenda on tax reform. Earlier this year, frameworks were released by the House and the President. In September, the House, Senate, and President Trump released a unified framework that underlined our shared goals for tax reforms. The House used this framework to write our legislation. I have expressed support for additional efforts to make the bill even better. I joined with my Republican Study Committee colleagues to call for using this as a chance to end the Individual Mandate, which forces Hoosiers to buy health insurance and the repeal of which would save the government over $300 billion in ten years. I wrote to Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady asking that he keep the adoption tax credit because it allows middle and low-income Americans to choose life and I am pleased that it was restored in the bill that passed the House on Thursday. After passing the House, tax reform will be considered by the Senate. When both the House and Senate pass the same bill, the legislation will head to President Trump's desk for his signature. Strong Support for Tax Reform The House's tax reform bill has the support of major free market advocacy organizations and job creators including: American Farm Bureau Federation Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Business Roundtable Family Research Council (FRC) Freedomworks National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Nucor Steel Corporation U.S. Chamber of Commerce It's important to hear from Hoosier job creators and their national organizations on this bill. Last week, Vice President Mike Pence was back in Indiana to pitch the Republican plan to overhaul the tax code at TKO Graphix in Plainfield. I was at TKO Graphix in October to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise award for my support of pro-growth, pro-jobs legislation. Celebrating Veterans Day Saturday was Veterans Day, but ceremonies in Indiana were held throughout the long weekend. It was an honor to attend the "Celebration of Veterans" in Lafayette. The event included lunch, remarks, and performances at the Thomas Duncan Hall. It was great to recognize some local Hoosier veterans and heroes. Attending Lafayette's "Celebration of Veterans" I thanked many of our servicemembers and their families for their sacrifices. In addition to the Lafayette celebration, Team Rokita attended several events across Indiana's 4th Congressional district. We attended ceremonies in Carroll County, Cass County, Hendricks County, Jasper County, and Morgan County. All of us were honored to attend these events on behalf of all Hoosiers. I also shared a message about the importance of Veterans Day and why we must recognize the sacrifices that our servicemembers and their families make with local newspapers including the Hendricks County Flyer. Did you know that this year alone Blue Star Mothers, an organization consisting of the mothers of servicemembers, have already sent more than 137,000 letters to members of our armed forces, and sent almost 75,000 care packages? That's the dedication that a mother's love will bring. Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington. Take care. Sincerely, Todd Rokita | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |