Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“While this tax reform package is not perfect, it is a positive step in the right direction. By doubling the standard deduction, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and reducing the number of tax brackets, this bill will allow taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money and save for the future.

“Thirty-one years is far too long to wait to provide relief to hardworking American families, and now is the time to bring the tax code into the 21st century. This plan moves toward reforms that will simplify the tax code – saving taxpayers not just money, but also valuable time - and create more jobs and bigger paychecks for North Texans and Americans across the country.”