As President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, one thing is clear — the state of our union is strong because America’s economic comeback is underway.
Under President Joe Biden’s leadership, hope and optimism were at a low. Record inflation and high prices had become the norm. I spoke with Idaho families living paycheck to paycheck, seniors on fixed incomes, and parents who wondered whether they could afford school supplies. Americans nationwide bore the brunt of President Biden’s failed policies, and economic confidence was diminishing.
That changed when voters sent President Trump back to the White House to revive the United States economy, restore American prosperity, and bring back the American Dream.
In the past thirteen months, Republicans in Congress have worked alongside the President to deliver on that promise. We’ve passed legislation to strengthen border security, support our military and veterans, unleash American energy production, and — most importantly for working families — passed the largest tax cut in American history through the Working Families Tax Cuts.
Working-and middle-class Americans were severely impacted by Biden’s out-of-touch economic policies. President Trump and Republicans have worked together to deliver policies that benefit those who felt forgotten under President Biden and to make everyday life more affordable again.
For senior citizens, we eliminated the unfair double taxation of Social Security benefits. Nearly 90 percent of seniors who receive Social Security will pay zero tax on their benefits. In Idaho alone, roughly 300,000 seniors could benefit from this provision.
Thanks to this landmark legislation, hardworking Idahoans will keep more of their hard-earned money and save more on taxes. For instance, Idaho wages are estimated to rise by $3,600 to $6,400 over the next four years, and a typical Idaho family with two children could see their take-home pay increase between $7,200 and $10,200 compared to what it would have been had this bill not been enacted.
Millions of taxpayers report tips and overtime income on their tax returns each year. To support working Americans, we eliminated federal taxes on tips and overtime. In Idaho, about 24 percent of workers regularly earn overtime pay, and nearly 5 percent work in tip-based occupations. This means more money in Idahoans’ paychecks this tax season.
We also secured a $10,000 deduction on auto loan interest for vehicles made in America, providing Americans with financial breathing room and strengthening American manufacturing. Furthermore, we honored our promise to America’s farmers, ranchers, and family business owners by permanently increasing the exemption for the burdensome death tax.
I’m not finished yet. The Working Families Tax Cuts expands opportunity zones, helping protect thousands of Idaho jobs while promoting continued housing development. It also extends the 199A pass-through deduction, benefiting 41,000 Idaho small businesses. This means that around 45% of all firms in the Gem State are eligible for the deduction.
In addition to permanently increasing the Child Tax Credit, one of the most consequential and exciting provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts is the creation of the new “Trump Accounts.” These accounts provide a $1,000 investment for American children born after January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028, helping to set future generations up for financial success.
I have often said that the Working Families Tax Cuts may have been the most important vote I’ve cast since coming to Congress. I say this because the working families, seniors, farmers, and ranchers I spoke to under the Biden administration will see and feel the difference. Policies matter.
It’s worth noting that every single Democrat voted against this economic relief laid out above — against eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, against tax relief for seniors, and against increasing take-home pay for working families.
Like many Americans, I am optimistic about the direction our country is heading. While we gather to watch President Trump’s State of the Union address, we can sit back, relax, and feel confident that economic certainty and relief are on the way.
(3) comments
I thought the ill-timing of Simpson's most recent heinie-kissing op-ed might have taught him a lesson, but no, here we go again. He probably doesn't do any grocery shopping, if he did he'd know how great the economy is. But that doesn't matter. What matters is Trump will know a toady when he sees one and will endorse Simpson for reelection.
Confederate Republicans back their Emperor regardless of any and all criminal wrongdoing. They are like the poor Southern white man who backed the rich planter class with only the knowledge that they may be barefoot and dirt poor but at least they were better than the black man. These Confederates feed on their superiority they may be dumber than dirt but at least they ain't no Mexican illegal with no rights at all and can be kidnapped off the street and put into prison for no other office in the Republican Nazis administration than the color of their skin is not exactly white, All Democrats most Independents and a huge slice of Moderate Republicans want nothing to do with the Confederate agenda and realize the country is going broke as grocery prices rise almost by the day and the week to pay for the Emperor war with the rest of the world and his economic warfare against the free world. Trump being a connoisseur of the hundred dollar bill is the limit of his knowledge. Human beings are judged in dollars and cents and political advantage. The Confederate White Supremist love his deportation tactics because they are the phoniest Christians that wald the planet. Most of them will be doing time in HADES along with Donald Trump because the breaking of the Cardinal sin of their teacher,' Do unto others as you would have then do unto me. And with most of these phony Christians you would know they are cheering at the Cross and fighting over the thirty pieces of silver.
Your talkee Mike Simpson talks of great gains alongside of corporations closing or reducing employees. The Idaho minimum wage has remained at 7.25 since 2009. So where are these great gains for the working class?? Hot air it would seem He chatters about tax breaks on tips. In occupations where tips are allowed the company only needs to pay 2.13 per hour in hopes the tips will bring the wage to 7.25. but their is no guarantee that it will. Idaho being a Confederate Right to work State the worker may make a dollar in tips but the company has no obligation to pay more than the agreed 2.13 per hour.
And under Trump and the idaho Republican beg and bow attitude the state is broke. Medcical has been cut by 4 billion. Universities have been slashed with lay-offs and program cuts. Massive layoffs across the state in Corporations and unemployment compensation more of a joke than a reality.
Farmers have literally been forced to give away crops lest they rot in the cellars because the markets are glutted after Trump has destroyed international trade.
Foreign trade is dying on the vine.
The Vietnam War body count of people believed to be undocumented goes on unabated. Workers who have been working in the U.S for years, paying taxes, and raising families, supporting Church and community are kidnapped off the streets and whisked away in unknown places often living in holding areas for months at a time denied all human rights, minimum food, and no time outside for minimum fresh air or exercise. Alligator Alcatraz.
Indeed America has become a place of hate and fear ruled by Federal police agents loosed on the streets of American cities, chasing workers through fields, and kidnapping them off the street in front of vital work centers depriving both workers and people who need the work done. to fullfill the Vietnam war body count quota prescribed by the Confederate slaver regime that has usurped power.
The Republican straw base supports their Empereror through two Impeachment trials when he was duly convicted by a representative majority of the American people for Constitutional violations on many counts the worst being aiding and abetting an insurrection against the United States Governments with words, "Fight, Fight Fight. These are not the words of an American. These are the words of the Confederate rebells who attacked the Union at Fort Sumter and declared war against the American people. On a day to day bases Trump and his Cult supporters whose backing is diminishing day by day, scream insults and and war cries against the American people. Confederate outlaws ruled by lies and deceit with no other purpose , not to be public servants for which they were elected, but to maintain power and privilege at the cost of the American people.
In light of what happened in your hometown of Blackfoot today and in the Supreme Court.... you might want to rethink your 'optimistic' out look. Vacation is over! https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/blackfoots-spudnik-equipment-company-to-cut-workforce-amid-agricultural-downturn/article_b9af6315-c6fc-4f4b-b469-b18190959741.html
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