WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today cast his vote in support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a bill to provide middle-income Americans with tax relief and to modernize the tax code. The Senate-approved bill now goes to a conference committee to reconcile differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“Today the Senate made history and approved historic tax reform to once again make government a partner in our success not an adversary,” Roberts said.

“Everyone understands tax reform is critical. All of us in the Senate – on both sides of the aisle – are familiar with the burdens, the complexity, and lack of competitiveness associated with our current tax system. It is abundantly clear that this complexity and our antiquated corporate tax system act as a brake on our economy.

“We have proven that we can act decisively to grow our economy, help those living paycheck to paycheck, create better opportunities with job creation and bring jobs back from overseas.”

Once the conference committee approves the conference report, both the Senate and the House must approve the report before the president may sign it into law.

Senator Roberts serves on the tax-writing Finance Committee. He was tapped to be the leading voice on agriculture issues when writing the tax reform bill. He praised the legislation’s provisions that will provide certainty to farmers and ranchers. He said, “I am very pleased the Senate bill keeps the Ag tax provisions, but will also help our farmers by creating a much more pro-growth tax system, lowering their tax burden and simplifying the tax provisions relating to the agricultural sector.”

Thursday afternoon, Roberts spoke in support of the bill on the Senate floor. To view or download video, go here.

Senator Roberts also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry.

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