Breaking Down the Budget

Breaking Down the Budget

<span>Breaking Down the Budget</span> <div class="evo-issue__body d-flex"> <div class="field__label font-weight-bold"> Body<span class="field__label__suffix mr-1">:</span> </div> <div class="field__item"><p dir="ltr"><span>After years of rising prices, higher taxes, and out-of-touch policies from Washington, the House has passed a budget focused on common sense and real results. This plan delivers meaningful tax relief for working families and seniors, strengthens small businesses, secures our borders, reforms important government programs, and invests in the future of our communities.&nbsp;</span><em><strong>Here’s how this budget puts you, your family, and your community first:</strong></em></p><dl class="ckeditor-accordion"><dt><strong>Delivering Tax Relief</strong></dt><dd><p dir="ltr"><span>Heading into this year, tax cuts for every American were set to expire. Without action, the average taxpayer would have seen a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2024/12/30/american-taxpayers-targeted-with-22-percent-tax-hike-if-trump-tax-cuts-expire/"><u>22% tax hike</u></a><span>. After four years of rising prices, working families, seniors, and small businesses in the Greater Lehigh Valley, that outcome was unacceptable. Local families didn’t need the greatest</span><em> tax increase</em><span> in American history,</span><em>&nbsp;</em><span>they needed&nbsp;</span><em>tax relief</em><span>.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>That’s why we’ve passed a historic budget reconciliation package that not only prevents tax increases, but delivers real tax savings —&nbsp;</span><strong>putting more money back into the pockets of those who need it most.</strong></p><p dir="ltr"><br><span>&nbsp;</span><em>Putting Money Back in Your Pocket</em></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Delivers&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://mackenzie.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mackenzie.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/ways-and-means%2C-senate-amendment-obbba.pdf"><strong><u>tax relief</u></strong></a><strong> for tipped and overtime workers</strong><span>, giving a break to hardworking Americans who rely on tips or put in extra hours to support their families.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Eliminates taxes on Social Security for&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/07/01/88-seniors-wont-pay-taxes-social-security-one-big-beautiful-bill-passes-analysis-finds/"><strong><u>88% of seniors</u></strong></a><span>, helping those on fixed incomes keep more of what they’ve earned.</span><ul><li dir="ltr"><span>6,000 deduction for those making under $75,000, and a $12,000 deduction for married couples earning up to $150,000, which phases out gradually beyond those thresholds</span></li></ul></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Permanently increases the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,200 per child</strong><span>, giving families extra support as the cost of living rises.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Raises the standard deduction by $750 for individuals and $1500 for couples starting in 2025</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Extends the 2017 tax cuts to protect families from an average $1,700 tax hike</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><em>Supporting Working Families</em></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>Expands the&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://mackenzie.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mackenzie.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/ways-and-means%2C-senate-amendment-obbba.pdf"><strong><u>Adoption Tax Credit</u></strong></a><span>, making it easier and more affordable for families to open their homes to children in need.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://keitercpa.com/blog/individual-taxpayers-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/"><strong><u>Increases</u></strong></a><strong> the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit</strong><span>, helping parents offset the rising cost of childcare and better balance work and family life.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Expands the employer-sponsored childcare tax credit</strong><span>, encouraging more businesses to offer childcare support to their employees.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><em>Strengthening Small Businesses and U.S. Manufacturing</em></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/americas-small-businesses-applaud-president-trump-congress-for-stopping-massive-tax-hike-on-main-street/"><strong><u>Permanently</u></strong></a><strong> extends the 20% Small Business Deduction for family-owned farms and 30 million small businesses</strong><span>, providing long-term relief and allowing owners to reinvest in their businesses and communities.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Permanently allows 100% immediate expensing for business investments</strong><span>, giving small businesses the flexibility to grow, hire, and expand without burdensome tax penalties.</span></li></ul></dd></dl><dl class="ckeditor-accordion"><dt>Protecting Our Communities</dt><dd><p dir="ltr"><span>After four years of open borders and rising global instability, it’s time to invest in a safer and stronger na