Rokita Report - The House Budget, AbilityOne & More

Statement

Dear Friend,

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 114th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well, as we work together to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington.

Rokita Readings

A clickable offering of books and articles that I've read recently and highly recommend, as we strive together to "Keep the Republic."

The last Rokita Report (click here) discussed A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America, which I helped to co-author as Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee.

When working on the budget in recent months, the Committee crafted a budget that truly grows the economy. A recent rule change allows the House to consider the macroeconomic impact of major legislation into official budget estimates - "dynamic scoring" - and is a factor in our budget. An article "What Democrats and the CBO Don't Get" by Michael Salon from the Wall Street Journal explains why this change makes sense is this week's Rokita Reading.

Salon explains that "economy-driven revenue changes can dwarf legislative changes." He provides several examples of tax increases since 1990 that were completely undone by bad economies. Furthermore, Salon explains that history shows that we strengthen the economy and therefore collect more revenue as a result of the "tax reductions and 'austerity' programs that Republicans tend to pursue but the CBO and Democrats tend to dismiss."

This is the key difference between the House Budget and the President's Budget. Our budget, which passed the House, has faith in the American people. The President's budget would grow the federal government and expect Washington to know best, rather than letting the people and free markets decide.

Passing the House Budget

Last week, A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America passed the full House.

Our budget balances in less than ten years and saves $5.5 trillion without increasing taxes. For the fifth year in a row, the House demonstrates leadership to the American people by continuing the conversation regarding the drivers of our debt by proposing positive solutions to reform auto-pilot entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Among the reforms to Medicaid is the inclusion of the State Health Flexibility Act, which I authored. The budget also includes a new provision prohibiting the "double-dipping' of both Social Security disability benefits and unemployment insurance. This is a responsible budget that deals honestly with our nation's challenges.

My colleagues in the Senate also passed a Budget. I look forward to working with the Senate on a unified budget to present the President.

AbilityOne Champion Award

On Saturday, I was honored to receive the AbilityOne Champion Award in Indiana at an event sponsored by Bosma Enterprises. The Award honors federal policymakers who support the AbilityOne program and community-based nonprofit agencies through congressional actions that enhance the economic and personal independence of persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

I believe it is important to recognize that the real impact comes not from Washington but the organizations that have experience in helping people achieve the dignity that comes through work and earning one's own success. Contrast that with a food stamp or unemployment check that goes on for too long and only makes the recipients more dependent on Washington programs, bureaucrats, and politicians.

I let the audience know that I recently shared the story of Don, who works at Bosma, on the House floor (click here to watch). Don was rejected for employment almost two hundred times, but Bosma Industries hired him for their warehouse. In just six years, Don's work ethic and devotion to his career have led to his promotion to Production Supervisor. He now manages forty people working on the exam glove lines.

The Educational Opportunities Act

Recently, I partnered with Senator Marco Rubio, to expand school choice to more families by introducing the Educational Opportunities Act.

Similar to the Hoosier state's successful Our Scholarship Tax Credit program, the Educational Opportunities Act would help thousands of students from low- and middle- income families attend schools of their choice. This legislation capitalizes on Americans' generosity and would increase access to educational opportunities without spending more money by creating a new federal tax credit for scholarship donations.

The Educational Opportunities Act would allow individuals and businesses to contribute to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that award need-based scholarships to students to defray the cost of attending private schools. The bill creates an individual federal tax credit of up to $4,500 and a corporate credit of up to $100,000 for donations to qualifying, non-profit SGOs.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I look forward to advancing the promise of school choice.

Thank You Senator Coats

This week, Senator Dan Coats announced that he would retire at the end of this Congress. I would like to take this moment to thank Senator Coats for his service to Hoosiers with humble, principled, conservative leadership for over three decades in the U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate and as Ambassador to Germany.

I will greatly miss my friend's leadership in the delegation. I wish him and Marsha all the best in their remaining time serving our great state.

It's a little known fact that I was once an intern for Senator Coats. It was a great learning experience for me and a service that my office now provides future leaders.

Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington. Take care.

Sincerely,

Todd Rokita

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