I'd like to share some highlights from my office's hard work on behalf of Nevadans this year. From resolving issues with federal agencies, to coordinating visits to our nation’s capital, my office helped Nevadans with several matters in 2017. When it comes to constituent services, Team Amodei’s top priorities will always be accessibility and responsiveness. If you’re ever unable to get the answers you need from a federal agency, or if you have been treated unfairly, our job is to intervene on your behalf. It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of CD-2 for over six years, and I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2018. As always, if we can ever be of assistance to you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We’re pleased to assist in any way possible.
A Look Back on 2017
Looking Ahead
Come January, I plan to hit the ground running, wasting no time working on Nevada’s behalf to move two lands bills requested by Lincoln and Pershing Counties. I additionally plan to continue working with Washoe, Douglas, and Clark Counties on crafting their lands bills. Finally, I will remain focused on passing much needed reforms in regards to: healthcare, infrastructure, and immigration. Learn more about our priorities for 2018 below:
Healthcare
There is still much work that needs to be done to reform certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as premiums for some of the most popular ACA plans are expected to spike in 2018. We assume healthcare will take center stage again after the first of the year, so I’ve continued to work with my staff to gather data and meet with relevant stakeholders in Nevada as well as lawmakers here in Washington. We will also continue working closely with House and Senate committees of jurisdiction to secure hearings with insurance companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other major healthcare cost drivers. Finally, you might be interested to know the Nevada State Legislature created a special committee on healthcare. In addition to meeting with relevant stakeholders, my office will continue to closely monitor any and all Nevada-centric solutions coming out of this committee while keeping you informed along the way.
Infrastructure
In regards to infrastructure, my staff and I will continue to interact with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the White House, and congressional leadership on several of the issues presented at the Western Nevada Infrastructure Roundtable Summit hosted by my office in August. I plan to host another roundtable summit early next year to further identify Nevada’s infrastructure needs now and into the future.
Immigration
As you know, Congress must pass a permanent solution to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by March 5. Earlier this year, in my push to get something passed before the holidays, I signed onto a discharge petition to bring DACA legislation to the House Floor and signed a letter to Speaker Ryan calling for action on the issue. Click here to learn more about each of these calls for action. Unfortunately, the House was not able to get something done before breaking for the December district work period. Please know that I will continue doing everything possible to bring a permanent legislative solution to the House Floor by the end of January.
Tax Reform
As you may know, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act last Wednesday. This landmark legislation will create widespread tax relief for hardworking Nevadans while giving our nation’s job creators significant potential for reinvestment and growth. There is a lot of emotion and misinformation surrounding this legislation, so I would like to take a second to clarify a few falsehoods:
CLAIM: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will trigger a $25 billion cut in Medicare funding.
FACT: There is zero language included in this legislation that will directly cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. However, I’ve also seen reports overstating the connection between the tax cuts in this bill and spending cuts. You’ve also probably seen that most sides appear to agree this bill would add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years as a result of lowering tax rates and increasing standard deductions.
Naturally, the immediate reaction is to assume that if we’re bringing in less money by giving people tax cuts, this fall in revenue would need to be offset by cuts to spending for other programs. Unfortunately, these projections neglect to consider the long-term benefits tax reform would have on GDP, such as increased wages and new jobs, thereby increasing the eligible tax base and revenues collected for deficit reduction. Even a 1% increase in GDP generates about $3 trillion in revenue over 10 years – more than covering the anticipated $1.5 trillion deficit. The accuracy of this projection can be further evidenced by going back to the Clinton Administration where GDP growth was at 3.9% – the highest it’s ever been under the last five administrations – and the government was operating under a surplus.
CLAIM: 83% of the tax reform bill benefits the top 1%.
FACT: The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation recently confirmed that Americans in every income bracket will receive a tax cut. In fact, the average family of four in CD-2 making $64,000 a year and taking a standard deduction will receive an 82% tax cut. Additionally, a family of four in Nevada making $200,000 who itemized the average amount for Nevadans, which is $27,000 under the current law, will receive a 14% tax cut in 2018.
CLAIM: Tax reform is bad for sick people.
FACT: The final bill preserved the medical expense deduction and puts more money in the pockets of everyone (especially low income individuals) to help afford their premiums and healthcare bills.
Click here to read my full statement on final passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
U.S. Capitol Police K-9 Unit
Meet Reno! Reno is a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) service dog who has been serving alongside his handler, K-9 Technician Officer Jay Schmid, since January 2017. I had the opportunity to meet Reno and Officer Schmid last week to learn more about the USCP K-9 Unit. Thanks for having me. Another huge thanks to all of our USCP officers who work hard each day to protect Capitol Hill and the millions of visitors who come to our nation’s capital each year. I’m truly grateful for your service.
Once again, I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you in Congress. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. During the holidays, I will be home in Nevada spending time with friends and family. As you and your family gather across CD-2 over the coming days, I want to extend my best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.
For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
