7+ Trump's Commerce Secretary & Social Security Impact


7+ Trump's Commerce Secretary & Social Security Impact

The intersection of management roles inside the Division of Commerce, particularly in the course of the Trump administration, and the long-term solvency of Social Safety warrants examination. The Secretary of Commerce influences financial coverage, which in flip impacts employment charges and wage ranges, instantly impacting Social Safety contributions and payouts. Selections made on the Commerce Division can due to this fact have vital implications for the system’s monetary well being. For instance, insurance policies selling home manufacturing would possibly result in elevated employment and subsequently increased payroll tax income devoted to Social Safety.

The long-term viability of Social Safety is inextricably linked to the broader financial setting. A sturdy economic system, fostering job creation and wage progress, strengthens the system by growing tax income. Conversely, financial downturns can pressure Social Safety’s assets as a result of elevated profit claims and lowered payroll contributions. Historic context reveals that previous administrations have grappled with balancing financial progress initiatives with the necessity to make sure the sustainability of Social Safety for future generations. This steadiness requires cautious consideration of numerous financial elements and their potential results on each short-term and long-term Social Safety projections.

Due to this fact, understanding the potential influence of financial insurance policies championed throughout a particular administration, and carried out by means of departments like Commerce, is essential for assessing future Social Safety stability. The next evaluation will delve additional into particular areas affected by these selections.

1. Financial Coverage Impacts

Financial coverage impacts symbolize the ripple results of actions and choices made by governmental entities, particularly the Division of Commerce below the Trump administration, on the monetary well being and stability of Social Safety. These impacts are numerous and might be noticed by means of numerous interconnected aspects.

  • Commerce Insurance policies and Agreements

    The Commerce Secretarys negotiation and implementation of commerce insurance policies, akin to tariffs and commerce agreements, can considerably have an effect on home industries. As an illustration, tariffs on imported metal, whereas probably benefiting home metal producers, can enhance prices for industries reliant on metal, impacting their profitability and employment ranges. Modifications in employment then instantly have an effect on payroll tax income, a main funding supply for Social Safety.

  • Deregulation and Enterprise Funding

    Deregulation initiatives championed by the Commerce Secretary aimed to cut back burdens on companies, encouraging funding and enlargement. Elevated enterprise exercise could result in job creation and better wages, boosting payroll tax contributions. Nevertheless, if deregulation results in environmental injury or employee exploitation, the long-term societal prices could outweigh the short-term financial positive factors for Social Safety.

  • Manufacturing Sector Help

    Insurance policies designed to revitalize the manufacturing sector, a key focus in the course of the Trump administration, are instantly linked to Social Safety income. Elevated home manufacturing results in extra jobs and better wages inside the sector, leading to elevated payroll tax contributions. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of those insurance policies depends upon elements akin to automation, international competitiveness, and the provision of a talented workforce.

  • Provide Chain Methods

    Measures geared toward reorganizing worldwide provide chains affect home manufacturing and employment. Bringing provide chains again to the U.S. could enhance home jobs topic to payroll taxes. Conversely, such actions could enhance the price of items for shoppers and cut back general competitiveness in sure sectors. These competing elements should be fastidiously thought of in relation to Social Safety’s stability.

In conclusion, the financial insurance policies enacted in the course of the Trump administration below the purview of the Commerce Secretary maintain appreciable affect over the monetary well-being of Social Safety. These influences are complicated, usually involving trade-offs between short-term financial positive factors and long-term societal impacts. Due to this fact, assessing the effectiveness of those insurance policies requires a complete evaluation of their influence on employment, wages, and general financial stability.

2. Payroll Tax Income

Payroll tax income constitutes a main funding supply for Social Safety. The insurance policies enacted by the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration influenced this income stream by means of numerous financial mechanisms. Actions impacting job creation, wage ranges, and worldwide commerce have direct penalties on the quantity of payroll taxes collected. For instance, commerce agreements negotiated below the Commerce Secretary may result in both a rise or a lower in home manufacturing jobs. A rise in manufacturing employment, assuming secure or rising wages, instantly will increase payroll tax contributions. Conversely, insurance policies leading to job losses diminish the income accessible to Social Safety. The effectiveness of methods like selling home manufacturing and lowering reliance on overseas provide chains are due to this fact intrinsically linked to the monetary well being of Social Safety by means of the payroll tax system.

Additional evaluation requires inspecting particular insurance policies enacted and their subsequent influence on key financial indicators. If a selected commerce settlement led to a internet lack of jobs in sectors with common wages considerably above the nationwide median, the detrimental influence on Social Safety’s funding could be disproportionately bigger. Conversely, insurance policies selling progress in high-wage sectors would have a extra useful influence on income. Sensible software of this understanding includes rigorously evaluating the projected and precise results of Commerce Division insurance policies on employment distribution and wage ranges. Correct forecasting and monitoring are important to tell changes to Social Safety projections and potential coverage responses.

In abstract, the choices made by the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration considerably impacted payroll tax income and, consequently, Social Safety’s funding. The complicated interaction between commerce coverage, job creation, and wage dynamics necessitates cautious consideration of the long-term implications for Social Safety’s monetary stability. Whereas insurance policies could have aimed to stimulate general financial progress, their particular results on employment sectors and wage ranges decided their final contribution to the payroll tax base and the long-term well being of the Social Safety system.

3. Job Creation Initiatives

Job creation initiatives, significantly these championed by the Division of Commerce below the Trump administration, maintain vital relevance when assessing the long-term stability of Social Safety. The success or failure of those initiatives instantly impacts the variety of people contributing to the Social Safety system by means of payroll taxes, thereby influencing its monetary well being.

  • Deregulation and Enterprise Growth

    Deregulation, usually a key element of job creation methods, goals to cut back the burden on companies, encouraging them to increase operations and rent extra employees. For instance, lowered environmental laws would possibly enable a producing agency to extend manufacturing, resulting in new employment alternatives. Nevertheless, the long-term results on employee security and environmental prices should even be thought of when evaluating the general profit to society and Social Safety, as health-related points stemming from lax laws may enhance calls for on different social packages.

  • Commerce Insurance policies and Manufacturing Reshoring

    Commerce insurance policies designed to encourage manufacturing reshoringbringing manufacturing again to the United Stateswere promoted as a way to create home jobs. Tariffs on imported items, for example, aimed to make home merchandise extra aggressive. If profitable, these insurance policies would result in elevated employment within the manufacturing sector, boosting payroll tax income. The effectiveness of this strategy, nonetheless, depends upon elements akin to automation ranges, international competitiveness, and the provision of a talented home workforce. A extremely automated manufacturing unit would possibly create fewer jobs than anticipated, limiting the optimistic influence on Social Safety contributions.

  • Infrastructure Improvement Packages

    Proposed infrastructure growth packages, whereas usually related to job creation, have an oblique influence on Social Safety that’s contingent on implementation and funding. If such packages are carried out and generate substantial employment alternatives in development and associated industries, they might contribute to elevated payroll tax income. Nevertheless, delays, funding shortfalls, or a give attention to capital-intensive initiatives with restricted labor wants would diminish their optimistic influence on Social Safety. Moreover, the length of those initiatives influences the long-term profit, as momentary jobs present solely short-term payroll tax contributions.

  • Funding in Workforce Improvement

    Specializing in schooling and vocational coaching packages allows people to achieve the abilities wanted for high-demand industries. This could create a talented workforce, encouraging companies to increase inside the US, boosting general financial output and associated payroll tax contributions. Nevertheless, any optimistic influence on Social Safety income is fully depending on the standard of coaching initiatives supplied and the extent to which they cater to the wants of rising industries.

In the end, the effectiveness of job creation initiatives championed by the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration in bolstering Social Safety depends upon the particular insurance policies enacted, their influence on employment ranges and wage progress, and the long-term sustainability of these financial positive factors. It is also vital to account for any sudden international implications which will come up from every plan, in addition to evaluating the real-world versus projected financial modifications, and factoring that into calculations of social safety’s long-term monetary stability.

4. Commerce Settlement Results

Commerce settlement results, significantly these arising from agreements negotiated or renegotiated in the course of the Trump administration below the purview of the Commerce Secretary, symbolize a key consider assessing the long-term stability of Social Safety. These agreements can considerably affect home employment, wage ranges, and the general well being of the U.S. economic system, all of which have direct ramifications for Social Safety income and profit obligations.

  • Influence on Manufacturing Employment

    Commerce agreements can both stimulate or depress manufacturing employment inside the US. For instance, the renegotiation of the North American Free Commerce Settlement (NAFTA) because the United States-Mexico-Canada Settlement (USMCA) was meant, partially, to incentivize home manufacturing. If profitable, such agreements can result in a rise in manufacturing jobs, thereby increasing the bottom of employees contributing to Social Safety by means of payroll taxes. Conversely, agreements that result in elevated imports and decreased home manufacturing may end up in job losses and lowered Social Safety income.

  • Results on Wage Ranges

    Commerce agreements can have an effect on wage ranges by means of numerous mechanisms. Elevated competitors from imports would possibly suppress wages in sure sectors, whereas agreements that promote exports may result in increased wages in export-oriented industries. Modifications in wage ranges instantly influence the quantity of payroll taxes collected, with increased wages translating to elevated income for Social Safety. The general impact depends upon the particular provisions of the commerce settlement and its influence on completely different sectors of the U.S. economic system.

  • Affect on Commerce Stability

    Commerce agreements can shift the commerce steadiness, probably influencing financial progress and job creation. A discount within the commerce deficit, achieved by means of elevated exports and lowered imports, can stimulate home manufacturing and employment. This, in flip, boosts payroll tax income for Social Safety. Nevertheless, a widening commerce deficit can have the alternative impact, probably weakening the economic system and lowering the income accessible to fund Social Safety advantages.

  • Penalties for Particular Industries

    Commerce agreements usually have disproportionate results on particular industries, with some sectors benefiting whereas others endure. As an illustration, an settlement that opens up new markets for agricultural exports would possibly profit farmers, whereas concurrently harming home metal producers as a result of elevated competitors from imported metal. The general influence on Social Safety depends upon the relative measurement and significance of the affected industries. A decline in a serious trade with a excessive focus of employees contributing to Social Safety may have a extra vital influence than a smaller trade.

In conclusion, the commerce settlement results stemming from actions undertaken by the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration are inextricably linked to the monetary stability of Social Safety. Understanding the particular provisions of those agreements, their influence on employment, wages, and commerce steadiness, is essential for assessing their long-term implications for the Social Safety system. Moreover, constantly monitoring the precise results of those agreements on the U.S. economic system is crucial to tell coverage choices and make sure the sustainability of Social Safety for future generations.

5. Manufacturing Sector Progress

The connection between manufacturing sector progress and the solvency of Social Safety, particularly inside the context of the Trump administration’s Commerce Secretary’s insurance policies, is multifaceted. The Commerce Division’s initiatives geared toward bolstering home manufacturing instantly affect employment ranges, wage charges, and subsequently, payroll tax contributions, a main funding supply for Social Safety. Insurance policies enacted to stimulate manufacturing, akin to tariffs on imported items or tax incentives for home manufacturing, sought to create an setting conducive to increasing manufacturing output and employment inside the US. For instance, tariffs imposed on imported metal have been meant to guard home metal producers, probably resulting in elevated manufacturing and hiring. These actions have been predicated on the precept {that a} sturdy manufacturing sector strengthens the economic system, growing the variety of employees contributing to Social Safety and enhancing its long-term monetary stability.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of those insurance policies in attaining sustained manufacturing sector progress and bolstering Social Safety is topic to numerous elements. Automation inside the manufacturing sector could restrict the web enhance in employment, even with elevated manufacturing. Moreover, the imposition of tariffs can result in retaliatory measures from different nations, probably harming U.S. exports and general financial progress. As an illustration, whereas metal tariffs would possibly profit home metal producers, they might enhance prices for industries that depend on metal, making them much less aggressive within the international market and probably resulting in job losses in these sectors. The Commerce Division’s initiatives to advertise manufacturing progress additionally included efforts to streamline laws and cut back bureaucratic burdens, aiming to make it simpler for producers to speculate and increase their operations. These initiatives, whereas probably useful, additionally require cautious consideration to make sure that they don’t compromise employee security or environmental safety, as detrimental impacts in these areas may offset any positive factors in manufacturing employment and payroll tax income.

In conclusion, the hyperlink between manufacturing sector progress, the insurance policies of the Trump administration’s Commerce Secretary, and the soundness of Social Safety is complicated and multifaceted. Whereas initiatives geared toward stimulating manufacturing could contribute to elevated employment and payroll tax income, their effectiveness depends upon numerous elements, together with automation, international commerce dynamics, and the potential for unintended penalties. Due to this fact, assessing the influence of those insurance policies on Social Safety requires a complete evaluation of their results on the whole U.S. economic system, contemplating each the potential advantages and the potential prices. The sustainability of Social Safety depends not solely on stimulating manufacturing progress but in addition on guaranteeing that such progress is inclusive, sustainable, and contributes to general financial stability.

6. Retirement Safety Planning

Retirement safety planning encompasses the methods and actions people undertake to make sure monetary stability and well-being all through their retirement years. The insurance policies and financial panorama formed in the course of the Trump administration, significantly by means of the actions of the Commerce Secretary, have implications for the efficacy of particular person retirement safety planning. Understanding these connections is essential for people looking for to navigate the complexities of retirement financial savings and funding.

  • Influence of Commerce Insurance policies on Funding Returns

    Commerce insurance policies carried out by the Commerce Secretary can affect the efficiency of home and worldwide markets, thereby affecting the returns on retirement investments. As an illustration, tariffs on imported items can enhance prices for companies, probably lowering profitability and impacting inventory values. Conversely, commerce agreements that increase market entry for U.S. firms can enhance earnings and funding returns. People engaged in retirement safety planning should take into account how these trade-related elements would possibly affect their funding portfolios and regulate their methods accordingly. For instance, relying on the perceived threat related to explicit commerce insurance policies, changes to asset allocation and diversification could also be vital.

  • Affect of Job Creation on Retirement Financial savings

    Job creation initiatives, promoted by the Commerce Division, play a task in people’ capability to save lots of for retirement. Insurance policies that stimulate job progress can result in elevated employment and better wages, offering people with extra disposable revenue to allocate in the direction of retirement financial savings. Nevertheless, the standard and stability of those jobs are additionally vital concerns. Low-wage or part-time employment could restrict people’ capability to save lots of adequately for retirement. Retirement safety planning, due to this fact, requires an evaluation of the labor market circumstances and the provision of secure, well-paying jobs. Job availability influenced by Commerce Division initiatives is a vital consideration when projecting future financial savings potential.

  • Impact of Financial Progress on Social Safety Advantages

    Financial progress, partially influenced by Commerce Division insurance policies, not directly impacts Social Safety advantages. A stronger economic system can result in elevated payroll tax income, probably strengthening the long-term solvency of the Social Safety system. Conversely, financial downturns can pressure Social Safety assets, elevating issues about future profit ranges. People planning for retirement must issue within the potential variability of Social Safety advantages and take into account how financial circumstances would possibly influence their general retirement revenue technique. Conservative retirement plans could take into account potential Social Safety shortfalls, resulting in elevated private financial savings efforts.

  • Implications of Inflation on Retirement Bills

    The Commerce Secretarys insurance policies can affect inflation charges, which instantly influence the price of dwelling in retirement. Larger inflation erodes the buying energy of retirement financial savings, making it tougher for people to keep up their lifestyle. People want to include inflation projections into their retirement safety plans and take into account funding methods that supply safety towards rising costs. Inflation safety is commonly constructed into bond merchandise, actual property holdings, or inflation-indexed securities. Inflation threat related to Commerce Division insurance policies needs to be thought of when formulating retirement plans.

The intersection of retirement safety planning and insurance policies carried out in the course of the Trump administration, particularly these influenced by the Commerce Secretary, underscores the significance of a holistic strategy to monetary planning. People should take into account the potential impacts of commerce insurance policies, job creation initiatives, financial progress, and inflation on their retirement financial savings and revenue. Adaptability and proactive administration are essential for navigating the dynamic financial panorama and attaining retirement safety.

7. World Financial Influences

World financial influences exerted a considerable influence on the insurance policies and outcomes related to the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration, significantly in regards to the long-term solvency of Social Safety. These influences, stemming from worldwide commerce dynamics, geopolitical occasions, and international monetary markets, necessitate cautious consideration when evaluating home financial insurance policies and their results on Social Safety.

  • Commerce Wars and Tariffs

    The commerce wars initiated in the course of the Trump administration, together with the imposition of tariffs on items from China and different nations, had multifaceted implications. These actions influenced home manufacturing, employment ranges, and shopper costs. For instance, tariffs on imported metal, whereas meant to guard home metal producers, additionally elevated prices for industries reliant on metal, probably resulting in job losses in these sectors and impacting general financial progress. Lowered financial exercise can instantly influence payroll tax income, a main funding supply for Social Safety.

  • World Provide Chain Disruptions

    World provide chain disruptions, exacerbated by occasions such because the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, influenced home manufacturing and employment. These disruptions may result in shortages of crucial inputs, elevated manufacturing prices, and lowered output, impacting general financial exercise and payroll tax contributions. Restructuring worldwide provide chains to give attention to home sources aimed to stabilize inner manufacturing, but probably elevated prices. The effectiveness of those methods considerably impacts the steadiness sheet of Social Safety.

  • Foreign money Alternate Price Fluctuations

    Foreign money trade fee fluctuations influence the competitiveness of U.S. exports and the price of imports. A weaker greenback could make U.S. items extra enticing to overseas patrons, probably boosting exports and home manufacturing. Conversely, a stronger greenback could make imports cheaper, probably harming home industries. These fluctuations can affect employment ranges, wages, and the general financial well being of the US, not directly impacting Social Safety income and the long-term sustainability of its monetary obligations.

  • Worldwide Financial Coverage

    Financial insurance policies enacted by different nations, akin to rate of interest changes and quantitative easing measures, have implications for the U.S. economic system. For instance, low rates of interest in Europe can encourage capital to stream into the US, probably placing downward strain on U.S. rates of interest and influencing funding choices. World financial coverage divergence can result in elevated volatility in monetary markets, which in flip can influence funding returns and the general financial outlook. The Commerce Secretarys actions, in flip, could affect these worldwide financial flows.

In abstract, international financial influences considerably formed the financial panorama in the course of the Trump administration, and these influences interacted with the insurance policies and actions of the Commerce Secretary in complicated methods, in the end affecting the long-term stability of Social Safety. Commerce wars, provide chain disruptions, foreign money fluctuations, and worldwide financial insurance policies necessitate cautious consideration when evaluating the home financial insurance policies and their implications for Social Safety. The diploma to which these financial influences are mitigated will decide the general viability of this system long-term.

Regularly Requested Questions

The next questions deal with frequent inquiries and issues surrounding the potential influence of the Commerce Secretary in the course of the Trump administration on the long-term viability of Social Safety. The main target stays on factual info and evaluation, avoiding hypothesis or partisan commentary.

Query 1: How would possibly commerce insurance policies enacted by the Commerce Secretary influence Social Safety funding?

Commerce insurance policies, akin to tariffs and commerce agreements, can considerably affect home employment and wage ranges. These elements instantly have an effect on payroll tax income, a main supply of funding for Social Safety. Insurance policies resulting in job losses or wage stagnation can negatively influence Social Safety’s monetary stability, whereas insurance policies selling job creation and wage progress can strengthen the system.

Query 2: Did initiatives geared toward bolstering home manufacturing instantly profit Social Safety?

The intent of insurance policies designed to stimulate home manufacturing was to extend employment and wages inside the sector. Larger employment ranges and elevated wages sometimes translate to better payroll tax income for Social Safety. Nevertheless, the extent of the profit trusted the precise variety of jobs created, their wage ranges, and the long-term sustainability of these jobs.

Query 3: Can deregulation initiatives enacted by the Commerce Secretary negatively influence Social Safety?

Deregulation initiatives, whereas probably stimulating enterprise funding and job creation, can have unintended penalties. If deregulation results in environmental injury, employee exploitation, or different detrimental externalities, the long-term societal prices could outweigh the short-term financial positive factors. Any decline within the normal well being and wellbeing of the inhabitants will doubtless influence Social Safety and different social packages.

Query 4: How do international financial circumstances affect the connection between the Commerce Secretary’s insurance policies and Social Safety?

World financial elements, akin to commerce wars, foreign money trade charges, and worldwide financial insurance policies, exert substantial affect on the U.S. economic system. These elements can both amplify or mitigate the influence of home insurance policies on Social Safety. The impact of commerce agreements on Social Safety is basically dependent upon present worldwide financial circumstances.

Query 5: What function does workforce growth play in guaranteeing the long-term solvency of Social Safety?

Workforce growth initiatives, which improve the abilities and employability of the workforce, can contribute to increased wages and elevated employment. A talented and productive workforce generates better payroll tax income, bolstering Social Safety’s long-term monetary stability. Funding in fashionable schooling and coaching for high-demand positions is crucial to funding Social Safety funds.

Query 6: How do fluctuations within the commerce deficit have an effect on Social Safety?

Fluctuations within the commerce deficit can influence financial progress and job creation. A widening commerce deficit, indicating {that a} nation is importing extra items and companies than it’s exporting, can result in decreased home manufacturing and employment, lowering the income accessible to fund Social Safety advantages. Balancing commerce is crucial to stabilizing the economic system and stopping Social Safety from struggling.

Understanding the complicated interaction between financial insurance policies and Social Safety is essential for knowledgeable decision-making relating to the system’s long-term sustainability. The function of the Commerce Secretary, and by extension commerce agreements and financial initiatives, is instantly tied to the general power of Social Safety.

The next article part transitions in the direction of additional examination of potential future actions required.

Navigating Financial Coverage

The next insights deal with strategic concerns for policymakers and stakeholders involved with Social Safety’s long-term stability. Financial insurance policies carried out by the Commerce Secretary, as noticed in the course of the Trump administration, function a helpful case research. Understanding the interaction between commerce, manufacturing, job creation, and Social Safety funding is crucial for accountable stewardship.

Tip 1: Prioritize Sustainable Job Creation: Financial insurance policies ought to give attention to creating secure, well-paying jobs throughout numerous sectors. Initiatives selling momentary or low-wage employment could present restricted profit to Social Safety’s funding base.

Tip 2: Rigorously Consider Commerce Settlement Impacts: Commerce agreements needs to be rigorously assessed for his or her potential results on home employment, wages, and commerce steadiness. The long-term implications for Social Safety income have to be thought of alongside different financial elements.

Tip 3: Promote Funding in Workforce Improvement: Funding in schooling and coaching packages that equip employees with the abilities wanted for high-demand industries is essential. A talented and productive workforce enhances financial progress and generates better payroll tax income.

Tip 4: Monitor and Deal with World Financial Dangers: World financial circumstances, akin to commerce wars and foreign money fluctuations, can considerably influence the U.S. economic system and Social Safety. Policymakers must actively monitor these dangers and implement acceptable mitigation methods.

Tip 5: Stability Deregulation with Social Safeguards: Whereas deregulation could stimulate financial exercise, it needs to be balanced with acceptable social safeguards to guard employee security, environmental high quality, and different societal values. Lengthy-term stability requires a holistic strategy that considers each financial and social elements.

Tip 6: Develop Dynamic Financial Fashions: Make the most of complicated financial fashions that account for interdependencies between numerous sectors to raised predict the end result of Commerce-related insurance policies and financial traits. Use these fashions to raised account for potential future variations in Social Safety funding.

Efficient policymaking relating to Social Safety requires a complete understanding of the complicated interaction between financial insurance policies and the long-term monetary stability of the system. By adhering to the ideas outlined above, policymakers can work in the direction of guaranteeing the sustainability of Social Safety for future generations.

The article now concludes.

Conclusion

This examination of the intersection between the Trump Commerce Secretary and Social Safety highlights the complicated relationship between financial coverage and the monetary viability of a crucial social program. The article explored how commerce insurance policies, manufacturing initiatives, deregulation efforts, and international financial influences, formed and infrequently directed by the Commerce Secretary, can instantly influence employment ranges, wage progress, and in the end, payroll tax income that sustains Social Safety. No single coverage exists in a vacuum; ripple results dictate penalties each meant and unexpected.

Sustaining Social Safety requires vigilance and adaptableness. Policymakers, economists, and the general public should keep a crucial consciousness of how evolving financial traits and coverage choices form Social Safety’s future. A dedication to data-driven evaluation, accountable stewardship, and a long-term perspective is crucial to make sure this system’s continued capability to offer important advantages for generations to return. Failure to adapt to financial realities dangers jeopardizing the long-term monetary safety of tens of millions.