Congressman
PAUL COOK Votes

Cut Taxes >> Create Jobs
Washington D.C. ____ Congressman Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) on November
16th voted in favor of House Representatives #1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was
approved by the House of Representatives on a 227-205 vote.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will
provide the average family of four in Congressman Cook’s District, California’s
8th Congressional District, approximately $1,400 annually in
savings. Americans will see these savings on taxes collected next year and pay
a reduced amount by April 2019.
Representative Paul Cook states, “Despite the misinformation being spread
about this Bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act will protect
property tax and mortgage interest deductions for the vast majority
of my constituents.
25,000 (Twenty-five thousand) additional
families in my District #8 will also become eligible for the child tax credit. Through these
provisions, and most importantly, by doubling the standard deduction, Americans
will be able to keep more of their money. Money in their pockets means better
retirement savings, a better shot at a down payment for a home, and more money
in local economies rather than federal coffers.
“This Tax Cuts and Jobs Act-Bill also simplifies our tax code,
significantly reducing
the difficulties and costs involved in tax preparation.
I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass its own version of the tax
legislation so we can get a Bill to the President’s desk and provide real tax
relief to the American people.”
H.R. 1 lowers the income tax rate for all Americans other than the
wealthiest, where the tax rate remains unchanged, demonstrating a commitment to
middle and working class Americans. While H.R. 1 eliminates or reduces a number
of tax deductions, the reduced income tax rates and doubled standard deduction more than offset
those changes for nearly all taxpayers in Cook’s district. For example,
currently 65% of Cook’s constituents utilize the standard deduction when doing
their taxes, rather than itemizing. Under H.R. 1, that standard deduction will double to $12,000
from $6,000 for individuals and to $24,000 from $12,000 for married couples.
According to the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Tax Foundation, 91% of
taxpayers in Cook’s
District #8 will have a lower tax liability through the doubling of
the standard deduction alone.
The legislation also makes American businesses more competitive
internationally. Currently, United States
tax rates for businesses are among the highest in the industrialized world.
Nationwide, this Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act-Bill reduces taxes on American families and businesses by
approximately $1.5 trillion over 10
years and simplifies the tax code to make it easier to file taxes.
A member of the
House Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook
served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the
U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star
and two Purple Hearts.