Richard Hudson

Why Tax Season Was Different This Year

Position: The release advocates for permanent tax cuts including elimination of overtime and tip taxation, increased child tax credits, and small business deductions. It also supports streamlining environmental permitting to reduce project delays and opposes EPA duplicative reviews.

Over the past week, I’ve been on the House floor advancing commonsense legislation, while also meeting with leaders from across our state and country who are working to grow our economy, strengthen our communities, and keep America safe. Here’s a look at what’s been going on in Congress More Money in Your Pocket This Tax Season Tax season usually means sending more of your paycheck to Washington. This year, I’m hearing something very different from folks across North Carolina. Families are seeing bigger refunds, better deductions, and more money staying in their pockets. The average refund is up nearly 11 percent, now topping $3,500. And as people adjust their withholding under the lower rates we made permanent, millions are already seeing more in their take-home pay. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts, which House Republicans passed and every Democrat voted against. At the core of these reforms is a simple principle: if you work more, you should keep more. That’s why we eliminated taxes on overtime. More than 23 million Americans have already benefited. Whether it’s a police officer picking up an extra shift, a firefighter working overtime, or a construction worker putting in long hours, that paycheck now goes further. We took the same approach with tips. Nearly six million Americans are already benefiting from No Tax on Tips, putting real money back into the pockets of servers, drivers, and hospitality workers who earned it. Families are seeing relief as well. We increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child, helping parents keep more of their hard-earned income. And more than four million children now have Trump Accounts, giving them a financial foundation and a chance to benefit from long-term growth. Small businesses are seeing the impact. Nearly 12 million small business owners are receiving tax relief, averaging about $7,000. We made the 20 percent small business deduction permanent, giving entrepreneurs the certainty they need to hire, invest, and grow. And in rural communities, these policies are helping protect family farms, lower borrowing costs, and encourage investment in small towns across our state. Cutting Red Tape and Standing Up for American Workers This week, House Republicans passed two commonsense bills to rein in Washington overreach and stand up for American workers. First, we passed the RED Tape Act, which eliminates duplicative EPA reviews that slow down projects, delay investment, and hold back job creation. If a project has already gone through the proper environmental review, Washington shouldn’t force businesses to jump through the same hoop twice. This is about cutting unnecessary bureaucracy so we can build faster, grow our economy, and unleash American industry. We also passed the FENCES Act, which ensures North Carolina communities and manufacturers aren’t penalized for pollution coming from foreign countries like China. For too long, the EPA has held American states accountable for emissions they didn’t create, while foreign polluters face no consequences. Meeting with North Carolina Leaders Back in Washington, I’ve been meeting with leaders across key industries that directly impact North Carolina jobs, families, and communities. I welcomed members of the North Carolina Pork Council to discuss the challenges facing our farmers, including burdensome regulations like California’s Proposition 12 and the importance of strong and fair trade agreements. I’ll continue working to protect our producers and ensure they can compete and grow. I also met with textile manufacturers from across our state to talk about strengthening American manufacturing, enforcing fair trade, and expanding the use of American-made products. North Carolina’s textile industry remains critical to both our economy and our national security. I sat down with biotech leaders whose companies are driving innovation, research, and job creation across the country, starting right here in North Carolina. As a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, I’m committed to protecting the robust industry that brings the best medical access and innovation to our state. I met with leaders from the firearms and outdoor recreation industry to discuss protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensuring businesses are treated fairly. We’re focused on commonsense policies that support safety, privacy, and the Second Amendment. With the NFL I met with leadership from the Carolina Panthers to discuss our student athletes and future professional talent in our state. Protecting athletes who bring so much pride and energy to our state is a priority to me. Supporting Our Service Members I had the opportunity to meet with a group of Army Special Forces soldiers visiting from Fort Bragg for professional development. These are some of the best our country has to offer. They carry out some of the most demanding missions in the world, and I’ll always fight to ensure they have the support, training, and resources they need to succeed. This weekend, I attended a faith retreat, taking time to reflect and stay grounded in the values that guide both my life and my work in Congress. Ahead of National Prayer day, I am grateful to learn more about our God and give thanks for my family, our country, our military and all of you who remind me of the important issues to fight for you and your families up in Washington. We’re making progress, but there’s more work to do. I’ll keep fighting every day to cut red tape, unleash American energy, protect your rights, and ensure our state continues to lead in values, innovation, and numerous industries.

Delivering for North Carolina: From First Responders to Farmers

Spring is here in North Carolina, and there’s a lot to report. I’ve spent the past two weeks on the House floor advancing legislation and back home meeting with the people and businesses that make this district great. Here’s a look at what we’ve been working on. A Big Win for First Responders The House just passed my bill, H.R. 2196, to complete the National EMS Memorial in Washington, D.C. Every single day, more than 850,000 EMS professionals answer the call. They show up in moments of crisis, often without recognition. This memorial ensures their service and sacrifice are honored permanently in our nation’s capital, and it does so at no cost to taxpayers. Supporting North Carolina Jobs and American Manufacturing I had the opportunity to visit several incredible North Carolina companies doing critical work right here in our district. At Kraken Kinetics in West End, I saw how local innovators are supporting our warfighters and strengthening America’s defense industrial base. At OA Defense, I toured their manufacturing facility and met with the team driving growth in Moore County. These are high-skilled, high-impact jobs solidifying North Carolina’s role as a leader in American manufacturing. I also met with Honda’s North Carolina team to discuss strengthening U.S. manufacturing and ensuring we continue to support American workers and supply chains. Working with Local Leaders to Strengthen Our Region I also met with Moore County Airport leaders to discuss expanding air service and improving connectivity for families and businesses across the region. Reliable infrastructure is key to economic growth, especially in rural communities. I also had productive conversations with the North Carolina State Fire Marshal about FEMA coordination and ensuring our firefighters have the resources they need. I continue working with local officials, including Fayetteville leaders and regional partners like the RDU Airport Authority, to make sure our district and state is positioned for long-term success. Honoring a North Carolina Leader On what would’ve been his 95th birthday, I gathered our delegation to honor the late Congressman Howard Coble. Howard was a tireless conservative, a dedicated public servant, and someone who never forgot the people he represented. He served with integrity, humor, and a deep commitment to his constituents. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since his passing. There will never be another like him, but his example continues to guide those of us carrying on the work. House Republicans are continuing to advance commonsense legislation that protects law-abiding citizens and restores accountability. We passed measures to ensure criminal aliens who defraud taxpayers are deported, protect law enforcement animals that secure our borders and communities, and defend access for hunters and anglers who fund conservation across the country. On the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on telecommunications, I’ve been leading efforts to strengthen American leadership in communications technology. I recently sent a letter with some bipartisan colleagues to Secretary Rubio, urging stronger U.S. engagement to counter China’s growing influence in global telecom networks and standards bodies. I reinforced that message in a hearing examining how decisions on 5G, 6G, and spectrum policy will shape our economic competitiveness and national security for decades. If we don’t lead, others will, and that puts Americans at a disadvantage. Standing with Farmers and Rural America As someone who represents rural communities, I know how critical it is that our farmers and ranchers have policies that work for them, not against them. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve delivered real relief to rural America: • Permanent Death Tax relief to protect family farms • 100% immediate expensing for equipment and infrastructure • A permanent small business deduction used by 98% of farms • Expanded opportunity zones to drive investment into rural communities These are commonsense solutions that help farmers grow, invest, and pass their operations on to the next generation. The President has also made it clear: getting a strong Farm Bill done is a priority. I agree. But I also know many of you are facing real challenges right now. If you have concerns about the Farm Bill or how current policies are impacting your operation, I want to hear directly from you. Your input will help ensure we get this right for North Carolina. Until next time, Richard Hudson

How We Upped Your Tax Refund This Year

Spring is around the corner, and it’s been a busy stretch on Capitol Hill. From joining together to support military families and engaging with our Special Operations community to advancing commonsense solutions in the Energy and Commerce Committee, our focus remains simple: delivering results for the people of North Carolina. With tax season now underway, many Americans are also beginning to see the impact of President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts. I was proud to support this legislation. We will see directly how it rewards hard work, strengthens families, and helps North Carolinians keep more of what they earn. Here’s a look at what I’ve been working on. Standing with Gold Star Families Last week, I joined the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, TAPS, on Capitol Hill to highlight the Love Lives On Act. For more than 30 years, TAPS has supported the families of our fallen servicemembers in the hardest moments of their lives. Their work is extraordinary, and it was an honor to stand beside them and the families they serve. Right now, federal law forces many surviving spouses into an impossible and unfair choice. If they remarry before age 55, they lose key survivor benefits earned through their loved one’s service. That means a young widow or widower may feel forced to choose between rebuilding a life and protecting financial stability for their children. The Love Lives On Act fixes this by allowing surviving spouses to remarry at any age without losing their benefits. The bill also restores benefits if a later marriage ends, so families remain protected. More than 50 veterans and military service organizations support this legislation, and nearly 30,000 surviving spouses stand to benefit. I am proud to lead this effort in the House with colleagues from both parties because honoring the sacrifice of military families should never be partisan. Supporting America’s Special Operations Forces As co-chair of the bipartisan Special Operations Forces Caucus, I also had the opportunity to host leaders from across the Special Operations community. As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, it’s the honor of my life to represent the home of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. During the event, we heard from Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Assistant Secretary of Defense Derrick Anderson, who provided important updates on the challenges facing our Special Operations community. These men and women carry out some of the most complex missions in the world, often quietly and without recognition. Congress has a responsibility to make sure they have the resources, facilities, and support they need to succeed. That also means protecting their safety here at home. I recently introduced the Special Operator Protection Act, which creates criminal penalties for those who attempt to dox members of the Special Operations community and expose their families to danger. Our operators should never have to worry about the safety of their loved ones while they are protecting our nation. Advancing Commonsense Solutions in Committee I also joined my colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee to advance legislation to strengthen the security and resilience of America’s energy infrastructure. Protecting our critical infrastructure is not a partisan issue. It is a national security priority. After the 2022 Moore County substation attack left more than 45,000 residents without power during a winter cold spell, we saw firsthand how vulnerable parts of our electric grid can be. So I got to work visiting the site, hosting briefings on finding the offenders, bringing my colleagues to Moore County for hearings, and working on legislation to ensure it doesn't happen again. Communities like Moore County and Fort Bragg deserve the confidence that their power will remain reliable and secure. The legislation we moved focuses on strengthening cybersecurity protections for utilities, improving coordination between government and private-sector energy providers, and enhancing our ability to identify emerging threats to the grid. Tax Season and President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Finally, as families begin filing their taxes, we will see how all of you will get some real financial relief. These reforms represent the largest tax cut for middle- and working-class Americans in history. They reward hard work and help families keep more of their paychecks. Here are just a few of the benefits: • No taxes on tips, allowing workers to keep more of what they earn. • No taxes on overtime pay, putting more money back in workers’ pockets. • An increased Child Tax Credit, helping more than 40 million families. • Made-in-America auto tax breaks for vehicles built in the United States. • Lower taxes across every county in America, with the average taxpayer seeing nearly $4,000 in relief. • 15% average tax cut for Americans earning $15,000–$80,000. • Permanent small business tax relief, helping local businesses grow and hire workers. • Stronger protections for family farms, raising the estate tax exemption to help farms stay in the family. These policies are designed to reward work, strengthen families, and unleash American economic growth. Every single Democrat in Congress voted against this relief, but House Republicans and President Trump delivered on our promise to put working families first. I’d love to hear from you about how these changes are improving your everyday life, so please write in on my website to tell me your tax season story. Until next time, Richard Hudson