VIDEO: Ricketts Honors Noah Tietjens, Highlights Efforts to Strengthen the Good Life

WASHINGTON, D.C.- This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE)commemorated Sgt. First Clast Noah Tietjens. Ricketts subsequently discussed a local restaurant roundtable he hosted last week at La Casa Pizzeria in Omaha. During the event, he shared tax benefits from the Working Families Tax Cuts with the workers who will benefit from it most.

"Susanne and I mourn the death of Nebraska hero Noah Tietjens," began Ricketts. "Noah died in Kuwait this weekend during Operation Epic Fury. My prayers are with the Tietjens family as they mourn the loss of their heroic son. May we always remember and honor the sacrifices made by Noah Tietjens and the Tietjens family."

"Last week, I heard from Nebraska restaurant owners, franchisees, and a hotel manager at a luncheon in Omaha. They all told me how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit their small businesses and help their workers. We're strengthening our local businesses," said Ricketts. "We're giving hard-working Nebraskans back more of their hard-earned money. Nebraska is the best place in the world to work, live, and raise a family. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, it's going to get even better."

Watch the video here.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: "First, Nebraska got heartbreaking news yesterday.

"Susanne and I mourn the death of Nebraska hero Noah Tietjens.

"Noah died in Kuwait this weekend during Operation Epic Fury.

"My prayers are with the Tietjens family as they mourn the loss of their heroic son.

"May we always remember and honor the sacrifices made by Noah Tietjens and the Tietjens family.

"We're in the middle of tax season.

"This tax season, I've been traveling our state with goodnews.

"Nebraskans are likely to see more money in their pockets this year.

"Two weeks ago, I shared this with ag leaders at a roundtable in Hastings.

"Last week, I heard from Nebraska restaurant owners, franchisees, andahotel manager at aluncheonin Omaha.

"They all told me how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit their smallbusinesses andhelp theirworkers.

"We're strengthening our local businesses.

"We'regiving hard-working Nebraskansbackmoreoftheirhard-earnedmoney.

"Nebraska is the best place in the world to work, live, and raise a family.

"Thanks to the WorkingFamilies Tax Cuts, it's going to get even better.

"I was home in Omaha last Friday and hosted an event at a local pizzeria.

"It focused on provisions from the Working Families Tax Cuts that will benefit families and restaurant workers.

"We are strengthening the Good Life with no tax on tips and no tax on overtime.

"We'reproviding taxcuts for families and incentives for businesses to invest intheirworkers.

"I washappy to share this good news with the people who will benefit from it most.

"The Working Families Tax Cuts also removes taxes on tips, up to $25,000 per year.

Tips are earned-not given.

"These savings will bring meaningful relief for hard-working servers, bartenders, and workers who depend on gratuities at that establishment and countless others across the state.

"The Working Families Tax Cuts also eliminates taxes on overtime pay, up to $12,500.

"This supportsall ofthe jobs that keep Nebraskansand our country safe and running.

"Some jobs require workers to give a little moreandrequire extra hours.

"One restaurant manager told me of a waitress whose wages were incorrectly reported.

"Her W-2 reported some overtime pay as regular pay.

"When this was corrected, shereceived an extra $1,500 in her tax returns because of the no tax on overtime provision.

"That's more money to buygroceries and gas.

"That'sa monthly house payment.

"That's meaningful.

"The Working Families Tax Cuts also benefits restaurants and small businesses.

"It encourages them to invest in their workers.

"Thanks to full, immediate expensing on capital equipment, years of deferred maintenance is now affordable for mom-and-pop businesses.

"Another restaurant ownerdescribed how he was able to afford deferred maintenance because of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

"These are necessary expensesandhe nolongerhad toput off.

"He just couldn't afford it before.

"Nowit was affordable, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

"Best of all, these businessesknowthat their workers keep more of their income.

"Bureaucratic government will take less from hard-working Nebraskans, keeping more money in our communities.

"Across the nation, we have seen an individual income tax reduction of over $125 billion.

"This tax season will be better for hard-working Nebraskans.

"Restaurants and theirworkers will be better off.

"All Nebraskans will be strengthened.

"The Working Families Tax Cuts have delivered for Nebraska."I'll keep fighting to protect the Good Life."