By Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
This week, Americans across the country will celebrate Independence Day, one of our nation’s most meaningful holidays. This year is especially significant as we continue celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Here in our nation’s capital, the celebrations are bigger than ever. Events include The Great American State Fair, a remarkable tribute highlighting each state’s unique history and contributions to our nation, and the annual A Capitol Fourth concert featuring Patti LaBelle, Trace Adkins, and the National Symphony Orchestra among others. Of course, no July 4th celebration would be complete without fireworks, and this year’s display is expected to be the largest and longest fireworks display ever in Washington, D.C., firing over 850,000 fireworks, and is expected to last almost 40 minutes. It is a patriotic reminder of just how much there is to love about this country.
Fourth of July is a time for family gatherings, cookouts, parades, fireworks, and celebrating the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy as Americans. As we come together to celebrate, it is also important to remember those who made those freedoms possible. Our nation was founded by courageous individuals who believed in liberty, self-government, and the promise of a better future. Since then, generations of brave men and women have fought to defend those ideals and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. America is the home of the free because of the brave. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all who served our country.
Also, this Fourth of July marks one year since the Working Families Tax Cuts became law. This historic legislation delivered meaningful tax relief for families, workers, and seniors while strengthening our economy and investing in America’s future.
The results speak for themselves. More than 35 million seniors claimed the enhanced senior deduction, with the average deduction exceeding $7,500. More than 7.5 million taxpayers benefited from the no tax on tips provision, claiming an average deduction of more than $7,000. Additionally, more than 29 million Americans took advantage of no tax on overtime, with an average deduction of more than $3,100. Nearly every Oklahoman has benefited from these tax cuts.
This legislation also set up Trump Accounts, helping parents prepare their children for the future. Under the program, eligible American children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, receive a $1,000 contribution into their account, helping give the next generation a stronger financial foundation from day one. As your child ages, the account grows as well. Without additional contributions, by 27 years old, the account will grow to $15,000 and by 50 it will contain $243,000, as estimated by historical S&P 500 trends. This program has been incredibly popular and private companies including Dell, Chipotle, Steak & Shake, and Oklahoma’s own Continental Resources are also contributing to these accounts for their employees. More than 5.5 million accounts have already been created, and I encourage anyone planning to have a family to visit the Trump Accounts website to learn more.
Finally, the bill made historic investments in securing our southern border by funding new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities, advanced border technology, and thousands of additional frontline personnel. These investments have helped deliver real results, with the southern border remaining secure for thirteen consecutive months.
As we celebrate our nation’s independence, I wish every Oklahoman a safe and happy Fourth of July spent with family and friends. I am incredibly proud to be an American and grateful for the generations of patriots who built, defended, and strengthened this uniquely great nation. As we celebrate 250 years of our country’s history, I remain optimistic about America’s future and the opportunities that lie ahead.
