Vice President Mike Pence visited the Minneapolis Convention Center on Wednesday to tout economic gains made by the recent Republican tax bill. 

Hundreds gathered at the America First Policies’ event to hear Pence and Minnesota congressmen discuss the recent tax overhaul and its impacts on residents. 

“We cut taxes so people can keep more of what they earned,” Pence said at the event. “With Trump in the office and with God’s help, we will make America prosperous again. We will make America great again.”

Before Pence’s remarks, U.S. House Republicans Erik Paulsen, Tom Emmer and Jason Lewis, and MyPillow CEO Michael Lindell, discussed how the tax cuts have benefited local companies.

“These tax cuts are allowing small business owners to hire more employees, which is creating more jobs across the nation,” Lewis said.

MyPillow has employed thousands in Minnesota and continues to employ people across the country, Lindell said.

Pence said the recent tax cuts have contributed to job growth in the Twin Cities and a drop in unemployment nationwide. 

“Businesses across the state have created 7,600 jobs in manufacturing,” he said.

These tax cuts will save the average family of four about $3,000 per year, Pence said. Thousands of workers in Minnesota have already received bonuses upward of $2,000, he added.

In addition to tax cuts, Pence discussed other work being done during Trump’s presidency, including obtaining more than $1.6 billion to fund border protection.

“Make no mistake about it, we will build that wall,” Pence said.

Pence also mentioned the recent emphasis on gun control and school safety, and said Trump has helped strengthen background checks and provided resources to authorities, schools and parents to prevent mass shootings.

“No child should feel unsafe in an American school,” he said. 

While Pence discussed tax cuts, he also mentioned increased spending for military and infrastructure. 

“We are going to build Minnesota and America the best roads, bridges and futures that we’ve ever had,” he said.

Some in the crowd were supportive of the funding increases, especially for military and police officers.

“I was glad he honored military and police officers and talked about increasing funding for them,” said Ona Smart of Minneapolis.

As a mother, Smart said she appreciated the tax cuts and their impact on her family.

“We’re putting Washington back to work for families, not the other way around,” Pence said.

Minneapolis resident Merrilyn Downs said Pence’s emphasis on family was important to her, too.

“The tax cuts are important because they give hope to future generations, like my granddaughter who’s a sophomore in high school,” she said.

But Downs did have some criticism about recent government spending.

“I don’t believe in abortion, so I don’t like that they gave money to Planned Parenthood,” she said. “I think there are other places people can go to the doctor.”

Pence closed his speech by voicing appreciation of Minnesota and the “hardworking people who embody the spirit of America.”

“Minnesota is America’s star of the North,” he said. “This state is at the forefront of a great American comeback.”