Edwards votes to restore strength and prosperity in America

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) issued the following statement on his vote for the Senate-amended reconciliation bill:

"The reconciliation bill delivers on many priorities that Western North Carolinians have demanded: tax relief and higher take-home pay for families, unleashing American energy, strengthening our national security, and securing our borders.

"My support of this bill is motivated by the advocacy of my constituents and my commitment to making life better for all Americans by providing the largest tax cuts for middle- and working-class folks in our nation's history.

"A vote against this bill would be a vote for a 24 percent tax increase for NC-11 constituents.

"A vote against this bill would be a vote to continue taxing tips, overtime, and American-made cars.

"A vote against this bill would be a vote to preserve the unfair death tax for farmers across our mountains.

"This bill will deliver approximately $1.2 trillion in federal spending cuts, securing historic reductions in our government's deficit over the next decade to get our nation on a solid fiscal trajectory while protecting critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

"This bill will also instate pro-growth policies that will incentivize investments to generate revenue and grow our economy. As a lifelong businessman who is tired of Washington stifling economic growth, the importance of these policies cannot be overstated.

"This bill strengthens Medicaid to its original intent: to serve pregnant women, children, folks with disabilities, low-income seniors, and other vulnerable populations. Medicaid costs ran rampant under the last administration because the United States government failed to police waste, fraud, and abuse and allowed the American taxpayer to cover the health care costs of able-bodied, working-age adults who were not required to work. This bill establishes reasonable work requirements: just 80 hours of work or enrollment in a community service or education program per month for non-pregnant adults without dependents.

"Under current law, only 7 percent of all Medicaid hospital spending reaches rural hospitals. Our rural hospitals are essential, and the care they provide for WNC communities is foundational to our region's well-being. This bill will better support rural hospitals in WNC by creating a targeted $50 billion fund to offset the increased costs hospitals will take on from a lower provider tax reimbursement rate. This fund provides a tailored approach, rather than increasing general Medicaid spending, to improve and preserve care.

"The message to me from the people of Western North Carolina was clear in the weeks leading up to this vote: the provisions included in this bill will pave the way for a stronger, more prosperous, and more resilient nation. Western North Carolina can't succeed if we aren't succeeding as a country, and this bill will put our nation back on a path of strength and prosperity."

Background

Economy

If the 2017 tax cuts were left to expire:

• 73,530 NC-11 families would see their household's Child Tax Credit cut in half.
• 91 percent of NC-11 taxpayers would see their Guaranteed Deduction slashed in half.
• 70,210 small businesses in NC-11 would be hit with a 43.4% tax rate if the 199A Small Business Deduction expires.
• 9,016 NC-11 taxpayers would be impacted by the return of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
• 4,886 family-owned farms in NC-11 would have their death tax exemption slashed in half next year.

The reconciliation bill promotes economic growth by:

• Preventing a 24% take hike for constituents in North Carolina's 11th District.
• Eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
• Repealing the Biden administration's gig worker rule to protect flexible work.
• Renewing incentives for research and development (R&D) in the U.S. by allowing businesses to allocate R&D expenses over five years instead of immediately.
• Renewing the Opportunity Zone program to revitalize distressed communities.
• Incentivizing items to be made in America by rewarding companies that build their products in the U.S. with lower taxes.

Families and Seniors

• The reconciliation bill supports American families and seniors by:
  • Providing middle- and low-income seniors an additional $4,000 deduction.
  • Ending the death tax for more than 2 million family-owned farms.
  • Boosting take-home pay by up to $12,200 every year for families in North Carolina.
  • Increasing the Child Tax Credit to $2,500 for 40 million families.

Border Security

• The reconciliation bill strengthens our security by:
  • Investing in technology to enhance border enforcement.
  • Providing resources to support Border Patrol Agents.
  • Completing the building of the physical wall.
  • Speeding up the deporting of convicted, violent illegal immigrants.
  • Funding the hiring of the following:
    • 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel
    • 5,000 new customs officers
    • 3,000 new Border Patrol agents