Confirmed: Bigger Paychecks on the Way

This week the U.S. Department of Treasury confirmed what we have known all along - hardworking Americans will receive bigger paychecks due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The IRS released new withholding guidelines this week for employers to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Employers are encouraged to implement the new withholding tables as soon as possible, but should do so no later than February 15, 2018.

According to the Treasury, "with this guidance, most American workers will begin to see bigger paychecks. We estimate that 90 percent of wage earners will experience an increase in their take home pay."

Are you wondering when you will see the difference? You should begin to see withholding changes in your checks in February. The exact timing depends on when your employer can make the change and how often you are paid.

Hardworking Americans should get to keep more of their hard-earned money and I am thrilled to see it happening.

It really is wonderful to see the free market work when we close unfair loopholes, simplify the tax code and get the federal government out of the way. On top of keeping more hard earned pay, companies across the country are announcing bonuses, wage increases, and increased benefits because of tax reform.

The Tax Cuts and and Jobs Act is delivering on our promise of bigger paychecks and fairer, lower taxes.

For more information about the withholding guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, click here or here.

For more information about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, visit fairandsimple.gop.

From our Nation's Capitol CXLV

Tuesday, January 9, 2018: Oh, the joys of flying! I take an early flight out of Atlanta this morning to get to the Capitol as soon as possible only to get to Reagan National Airport and find out that they are fogged in. After circling Washington for 45 minutes in hopes that the fog will lift, we make an attempt to land only to abandon the landing because the pilot cannot see the runway. This is not a good feeling any time of day, especially early in the morning. Finally, the pilot surrenders and announces that we are going to Dulles International Airport to land. Once we land safely at Dulles, I make the one hour drive to the Capitol.

Rep. Carter meeting with representatives from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

After finally reaching the Capitol, I head to a Committee on Energy and Commerce bipartisan member briefing with Dr. Tony Fauci, Director of the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Dr. Dan Jernigan, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Influenza Division, who joins us via telephone. Both of these experts explain to us why the flu is peaking early this year, is at near-epidemic levels now and what is being done to try to control it. Afterwards, I head to my office where I meet with representatives from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to discuss the situation with the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program. Later, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first and only vote series of the day.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018: This morning we have a Committee on Energy and Commerce retreat where we hear from each subcommittee chairman as to what the initiatives of their subcommittees will be this year. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee. The six subcommittees are Communications and Technology, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, Energy, Environment, Health and Oversight and Investigations. Afterwards, I head to my office only to have to turn back around and head to the House Chamber for an adjournment vote that has been called by the minority party. Adjournment votes are called by the minority party to protest an issue and are rarely passed. In this case the minority party is supposedly protesting the issue of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA). After the vote, I head to the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) meeting where we are interrupted again by an adjournment vote called by the minority party.

Rep. Carter meeting with representatives from Wolfson Hospital in Jacksonville

After rushing to the House Chamber a second time to defeat the motion, I head back to the RSC meeting only to have the minority party call a third adjournment vote. Finally, the shenanigans are over and I head to my office where I meet with representatives from Wolfson Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, before I meet with staff for our weekly briefing. Afterwards, I meet with my good friend and fellow Doctors Caucus member, Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS) to discuss health care legislation. Rep. Marshall brings a wealth of health care experience with him to Congress as both a primary care physician and hospital administrator. Next, I head to the House Chamber for votes during which the Speaker introduces Rep. Don Young (R-AK) as the new Dean of the House. Rep. Young has represented Alaska in the House since 1973 and is now the longest serving Member of Congress. After a brief reception to honor Rep. Young, I return to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the day and afterwards deliver a tribute to long time Savannah Morning News editorial page editor Tom Barton, who has recently retired. A link to my tribute can be found here.

Thursday, January 11, 2018: After a special called GOP Planning Conference where we discuss today’s upcoming vote on the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), I head to the House Chamber where I preside as Speaker Pro-tem while the FISA reauthorization is being debated. The debate of this key tool to prevent terrorism is nothing short of fascinating as party labels are discarded and both supporters and detractors speak passionately on the bill. In the end the bill passes but the debate was truly some of the best I have witnessed during my time in Congress.

Rep. Carter with the winners of the Congressional App Challenge

After votes are completed, I step down from the chair and deliver a tribute to the four Richmond Hill Middle School students who won the Congressional App Challenge this year. A link to my tribute can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my flight home and once I arrive in Savannah, I head straight to the Civic Center for the 20^th Annual Hockey Business Connection sponsored by the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Friday, January 12, 2018: I’m up early this morning as I attend the Band of Brothers bible study in Garden City before heading to Richmond Hill Middle School where I present the four winners of the Congressional App Challenge a certificate honoring them. These four students- Cole Goldhill, Lucka Dickyera, Joseph Kim and Ryan Cranford- came up with an app called Wing Finder that helps identify butterflies by the color of their wings and other physical attributes. Afterwards, I head to Fort Pulaski where I meet with various stakeholders including members of the Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse, Visit Tybee, the Garden Club of America and park personnel. These volunteers and federal employees are great advocates for this national treasure and are passionate with their support. Fort Pulaski has taken a series of hits over the past few years with Hurricanes Matthew and Irma and is in need of some serious repairs.

Rep. Carter at Fort Pulaski

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I have a series of meetings beginning with Rick Marks who heads up Live the Life, a community marriage and family strengthening organization. Rick was our guest speaker at Band of Brothers this morning. He brings a strong message and his group has been successful in decreasing divorce rates in counties in which they are active. Next, I meet with Bank of America Savannah President Patrick O’Neil before meeting with Savannah-Chatham Board of Education member Michael Johnson. After meetings with Stephanie Cruwys to discuss CHIP and Mark Dana to learn more about the 200 Club and the fine work they do, I meet with Sgt. Rob Dahlen to discuss his successful medical treatment experiences with the VA. My final stop for the week is at St. John the Baptist Cathedral where I meet with Monsignor William O’Neill and present him with a proclamation honoring him for 50 years of service to the Catholic Church.

VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.