Good afternoon folks - 

I made a promise to you that when I got to Washington, I would make ‘em squeal and work to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the government. That’s why every month, I give out the Squeal Award, which recognizes a Washington expense, program or concept that Congress needs to examine. 


Squeal Award: Cutting Tax Breaks for Congress

Over the last 30 years, we’ve seen the development of smart phones and watches, autonomous cars, and robotic vacuums. Many things have become smaller, simpler, and easier, yet our complicated and loophole-ridden tax code is stuck in the 1980’s.

As Congress continues working to achieve the ultimate goal of lowering tax rates for hardworking families and businesses, we are going to have to eliminate various loopholes and deductions in our outdated tax code. I believe Congress should lead by example and offer up its own unnecessary tax break. 

That's why, this week, I introduced the Stop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators Act, also known as the SQUEAL Act, to cut perks for elected officials. This legislation would eliminate a provision of the tax code that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to $3,000 annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. 

While this might not sound like a lot to some, it could result in millions of dollars going back into the economy. Iowans sent me to Congress to make Washington, D.C. squeal and that includes eliminating thousands of dollars in handouts to politicians.

As reforming our tax system charges on, I hereby present my Squeal Award to the Washington politicians for this unnecessary tax break.


Do you have an example of government waste or inefficiencies that I should take a look at? Send me an email by clicking here.

Thank you!