Wittman: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means ‘Virginians are keeping more of their hard earned money’

Republican Congressman J. “Rob” Wittman (incumbent) has been at the forefront of the local races, participating in debates and forums like the one in October at University of Mary Washington. Not afraid to tackle controversial questions, he does face competition by Vangie A. Williams (D) who has made a name and following of her own.

Locally, there are at least three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Wittman and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Wittman’s responses.

PL:  What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Wittman:  As a commuter myself, I experience the intensity of the traffic on the roads in the First District and I have been working to promote many projects throughout the First District. Traffic congestion is a major issue in our area- I believe that we should extend the HOV lanes on I-95 to exit 126, Massaponax. I supported the Rappahannock River Crossing Project along I-95 between Rt. 17 and Rt. 3 as part of the Atlantic Gateway Program. I have fought for federal funding to help expand and improve commuter capacity of the Virginia Railway Express, including expanding railway operations of the Long Bridge Across the Potomac River and expanding existing platform capacity at many stations within the DC metro area. Additionally, I opposed I-66 toll lanes in their current form by issuing a letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation. As issues related to congestion in Northern Virginia continue, please know that I will continue to fight for projects that prioritize innovation, leverage public-private resources, and maintain the safety of motorist within the region.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Wittman: During the past year and a half, we have seen unbelievable economic growth, and I see that affecting First District constituents but also all Americans in every walk of life. In the First District, the average increase in take home pay per person, thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is $2,123, dozens of businesses are giving their employees bonuses and raises, and countless small businesses are better off. Nationally, our economy is booming. After years of sluggish growth, unemployment is at its lowest in decades, 3.7 million American jobs have been created, and 90% of Americans have seen bigger paychecks this year.

For the past decade, our military has been in a readiness crisis – resulting in deadly ship collisions and plane crashes. We are finally taking steps to remedy that. This year, for the first time in a decade, we have fully funded our nation’s military on time. As Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, one of my top priorities has been fighting for the resources our military needs to project global power and deter our adversaries. I am pleased that our President is making this his priority, as this is critical to Virginia’s economy, our security as a nation, and to ensuring that if our service members ever go into combat it will never be a fair fight.

Under the Trump Administration, the United States has reclaimed its status as a global leader.  At our urging, NATO countries have increased their own defense spending. For the first time in decades, North Korea is on the path to denuclearization. When Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his own citizens, the US military destroyed Syrian air bases and storage depots. And when President Trump said he would move the US embassy to Jerusalem, he actually did it. Most recently, Mexico and Canada agreed to the United States’ terms on a new trade deal, replacing the flawed NAFTA. Across issue areas and hemispheres, President Trump is showing American strength on the world stage.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Wittman:  I was proud to cast my vote in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Virginians are keeping more of their hard earned money, our main street job creators are able to invest more in their businesses, and companies are encouraged to remain in the U.S. I believe the results speak for themselves: One million jobs have been created since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law and unemployment numbers are at their lowest point in decades. In July, Virginia added 12,000 jobs and the unemployment fell to 3.1%; over the past twelve months, Virginia added 62,600 jobs. With more job opportunities and lower unemployment, consumer confidence is on the rise and Americans are finally having a chance to become full participants in our economy and achieve the American Dream.

Thanks to a doubling of the standard deduction and lower tax rates, 90% of Americans saw bigger paychecks this year. Plus, more than 4 million Americans at 642 companies have seen raised wages, bonuses, and expanded retirement options. I’ve heard countless stories of how businesses are benefiting from the economy, whether it’s passing savings along to employees and consumers or investing back in their business.

Tax Reform 2.0 builds upon the great work we did in last year, to make the U.S. tax code one of the most competitive in the world. It makes last year’s historic tax cuts for working-class families and small businesses permanent, promotes family savings, and spurs new business innovation. Locking in the individual and small business tax cuts will create 1.5 million new jobs, increase wages by .9%, and increase GDP by 2.2%.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Wittman: Our current immigration system is broken. To keep America strong and prosperous, we need an immigration system that works for the American people. I have consistently stated that any legislation considered by the House must secure our border, enforce the rule of law, and address DACA recipients. The First District economy is also significantly impacted by temporary and seasonal visa programs, and future immigration policy must balance timely processing for these visas while also ensuring effective visa enforcement. We are a compassionate nation made up of immigrants and a prosperous nation due to the rule of law. I believe we don’t have to choose one or the other.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Wittman: I represent tens of thousands of federal employees and retirees in the First District. The federal workforce is full of dedicated and committed citizens who exemplify patriotism in everything they do. I believe it is important to support legislative measures that adequately address the specific needs of our hard-working federal employees and retirees. I do not believe that current retirees should see any changes to the retirement benefits that they have earned. This Congress, I fought to ensure federal received back pay for the time we were in a government shutdown. When OPM suggested changes to federal employee benefits, I wrote letters to the Administration and House Leadership opposing these changes. I also sponsored a piece of legislation called the Combat Zone Tax Parity Act, which would ensure that federal civilian employees working alongside our military in combat zones would receive the same tax treatment.  

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Wittman: I am focused on providing a healthcare system that lowers costs, increases transparency, and ensures all Virginians can access to coverage. I believe The Affordable Care Act showed that government-run healthcare does not sufficiently address the core challenges facing our healthcare system; in many cases, physician choice disappeared and premium costs skyrocketed. We need a healthcare system that expands choice and empowers individuals and families to make decisions based on what fits their needs and budget. We must continue to provide coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, allow young people to stay on a parent’s plan, and eliminate lifetime caps for insurance coverage.

I also believe Medicare and Social Security have served our nation well. We need to honor our commitment to current program beneficiaries and those who are nearing eligibility. We must ensure the long-term substantiality of these programs so future generations can access the same benefits and financial security.