By: AIF Staff
Washington, DC – Last week at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan led a conversation with House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and facilitated a panel with policy experts on the future of the U.S. tax code. In both discussions, Ryan extolled the need to extend the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017, making the case that pro-growth tax policy will promote economic opportunities and upward mobility for millions of Americans.
Video of the event is accessible here and excerpts of Speaker Ryan’s opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.
“Our goal with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was simple: Improve the competitiveness of the United States internationally, spur economic growth and provide tax relief for hard-working Americans. I think the TCJA succeeded with accomplishing these goals. We saw robust economic growth since its passage and, at least prior to the inflationary policies of President Biden, strong wage growth for all Americans, particularly lower-income Americans….”
“I know from experience how difficult [Chairman Smith’s] job is. Frankly, with such a slim majority, his job is much more difficult than ours was when we originally passed the TCJA. Beyond the tight margins you face, a majority of House Republican Members were not even in Congress when we were doing TCJA, so here is a huge education gap to make up…”
“No pressure, but I truly believe that your success will be determinative of America’s continued leadership of the world as we progress through the 21st century.”
This event was the latest in a series of quarterly policy discussions hosted by Ryan’s American Idea Foundation. He is also a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
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