Tax Reform

November 6, 2017

Dear Friend,

Our tax reform efforts begin with families in mind. First District constituents want to keep more of their paycheck so that they can better provide for their families. Business owners want a simple and predictable tax system which will allow them to expand and create more jobs.

We are working hard to deliver meaningful legislation that will overhaul America's burdensome and complex tax code for the first time in 31 years. Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released, H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The proposed plan would simplify the tax code, slash corporate taxes, and ease the tax burden on middle class families who have struggled to provide for their families. I will continue to review the proposal on the affects that it would have on Mississippi individuals, families, and businesses. Please click on the link to learn more about the draft tax reform proposal and to see a breakdown of the numbers. Today, the House Ways and Means Committee began the process of debating and possibly amending portions of the proposal. Visit waysandmeans.house.gov/live to watch the markup.

ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017

Last week, the House of Representatives passed legislation that will ensure America's seniors continue to have access to vital services. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) was created under Obamacare and would have placed 15 unelected bureaucrats in charge of Medicare policies with no oversight from Congress. H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act, passed the House by a vote of 307-111, and repealed this provision that would have resulted in devastating cuts to Medicare.

CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3922, the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act. This legislation included a five-year extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a two-year extension of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), and ensured that many of our state's hospitals wouldn't be devastated by cuts authorized in our current healthcare law. These programs are important to many families in our state and are fully paid for by rolling back slush funds created by the current healthcare law and by requiring more accountability in Medicaid. I was proud to join the vast majority of my colleagues in supporting this legislation that passed the House on November 3 with a vote of 242-174.

committee action

For far too long, federal government overreach has weighed down businesses with unnecessary rules and regulations which prevent them from growing and creating more jobs. Last week, I led a Small Business Subcommittee hearing about the Small Business Administration's (SBA) lack of transparency in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) process. SOPs instruct SBA employees how to do their job. They help program participants understand their responsibilities. They clarify laws and regulations.

Small Business Administration CEO
Joseph Loddo (above), Jessica Donlon,
senior oversight counsel, and
Rep. Alma Adams, ranking member (below)

However, I am concerned that the SBA is making legislative binding rules outside of the rulemaking process and instead, using the SOP process. By using the SOP process, they are not required to solicit public input. The agency can do better. The committee will continue to work to ensure that the SBA and other agencies are not rulemaking through their standard operating procedures.

Vietnam memorial replica wall dedication

In 2011, Janie Alexander, Barbara Rushing, and Trent Bennett from Itawamba County decided to pursue a project to honor the more than 58,000 military men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Their dream was to build a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall which is located in Washington, D.C.

Last week, their dream became a reality with the dedication of the monument at the Veterans Memorial Park in Tupelo. State and local officials gathered for the ceremony along with hundreds of military veterans to unveil the 300-foot-long, black granite monument which is 60 percent the size of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

national veterans small business week

Last week, America recognized National Veterans Small Business Week. Veteran-owned businesses make up nearly 10 percent of all United States businesses, accounting for more than $1 trillion in business receipts every year. Thousands of Mississippi veterans devote their time and energy operating small businesses like the owners of Friendly City Express in Columbus. Just over one year ago, Retired Staff Sergeant (SSG) Rick Michaels, Retired Sergeant (SGT) Bryan Jones, and Retired Master Sergeant (MSG) Scott Jones started their business which offers a shuttle service to airports in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. All were previously stationed at Columbus Air Force Base where they served as security police. Rick said it was always a dream of theirs to operate a small business.

From top left: Bryan Jones, Rick Michaels,
and Scott Jones, Thomas and Telsa Mackey

In Fulton, Thomas Mackey and his wife, Telsa, operate Carl's Cleaners. Mr. Mackey enlisted in the Air Force in 1960. In 1988, he bought the family dry cleaning business from his parents. He is proud to be both a veteran and a small business owner. Mr. Mackey said more people would open a business if there were fewer regulations. He is also hoping for tax reform to help ease the burdens placed on small business owners.

honoring fallen soldiers

Our work continues to honor fallen soldiers with ties to Mississippi. These soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect America. We have submitted details of their service into the Congressional Record.

1LT Robert Charles Oneto-Sikorski
SSG Joe Nathan Wilson

a week in pictures

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

Action Visa Assistance representative
Lori Whitten, Alpha Services representative
Robert Zaharie, Forrester & Associates Projects
Coordinator Nicholas Nunley, Landmark
Landscapes President/CEO Mark
Thelen, and Crabapple Landscape
Experts representative Monica Nigrinis

Mississippi Rolling Thunder representatives
Cathy Johnston from Columbus, Steve
Monaghan from Bartlett, TN, and
John McKendree from Oxford

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

STAY IN TOUCH

Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress