MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hourly workers could soon see a boost in take-home pay if legislation introduced by Republican lawmakers, with backing from President Donald Trump, becomes law. The bill would exempt the first $10,000 of annual overtime pay from federal income taxes.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a key proponent of the legislation, said the measure is part of a broader push to support blue-collar workers — a demographic he and President Trump say has been left behind by past administrations.
“This is one of President Trump’s promises,” Marshall said during a recent interview. “He asked me to lead on this because he knows I come from a hard-working family. We’re introducing legislation that would make the first $10,000 of overtime completely tax-free. It’s time we reward the people who are literally building America.”
The proposal is aimed at wage and hour workers, from manufacturing employees at Spirit AeroSystems to oil refinery operators and pipeline crews. Marshall said the plan would primarily benefit those earning time-and-a-half pay, allowing them to keep more of their earnings rather than lose a chunk to federal taxes.
“If you’re putting in those extra hours, we think you should get to keep that money,” he said. “It could be worth $2,000 for an individual or up to $4,000 for a family. That’s significant.”
Marshall also linked the legislation to workforce challenges in Kansas and across the country, saying the measure could help alleviate ongoing labor shortages in sectors such as aerospace, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“We don’t have enough people to fill the jobs we have,” he said. “If someone’s willing to put in 50 or 60 hours a week to help drive our economy, we need to recognize and reward that.”
Marshall painted an optimistic picture of the country’s direction under the presidents influence, citing low unemployment, rising stock markets, falling gas prices, and improved border enforcement.
“I’m so bullish on America right now,” he said. “Jobs are coming back. Families are safer. We’re rolling back regulations. We’re putting America first.”
Still, Marshall remains confident that the bill speaks directly to the needs of the American worker.
“It’s about fairness and letting people keep what they earn,” he said. “That’s what this is all about.”