March 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2553 having boards behind us saying we be- about them when they take the votes cause over the past 60 years there has lieve in accountability, we hate waste, that are going to affect us, to affect been this huge, enormous bureaucracy but actually doing something about it. the Federal Tax Code and to affect how that they have built. The bureaucracy This should be good for the private the American family lives and works of the Federal Government that exists sector, too, of making sure that their and hopes and dreams and plans, how in this town is pretty much a monu- employees and individuals that work they make their plans for college edu- ment to the Democrats. They like it. with them and subcontractors that cation, how they make their plans for They like bureaucracy. work with them on Federal contracts small businesses, how they make their They did not have control of this are accountable and that they make plans for building a nest egg and a re- House for 2 days before they increased sure that they pay very close attention tirement. spending, and within 2 weeks they had to what they are doing with the tax- So we have the American Taxpayer increased taxes on the American mid- payer dollars. Bill of Rights that was introduced dle class and American working fami- So, Mr. Speaker, with that, I look today by the fiscally responsible Re- lies. Two days to increase the spending, forward to coming to the floor tomor- publican Study Committee, and this is so that they could feed this bureauc- row, talking about the victories of this something that we have brought on. racy, so that they could grow this bu- week. I believe tomorrow will be our Some of our colleagues are going to reaucracy; and 2 weeks to increase last day voting here this week, and I join us tonight and talk about this taxes on the American middle class and would like to just recap and also talk issue, talk about the legislation that the American family, men and women about what is coming up next week. we have brought forward, and that we that are working and seeing their taxes The reason why we are going through will bring forward through the next go up. Last week, I think it was $17.9 this process is because not only has the several months and talk about the pro- billion that they increased spending. leadership asked for inclusion of ideas, posals and the principles that we have So their habits have not changed. but to make sure that no one feels ex- laid forth today. They are going to continue to feed the cluded of being a part of this process Now, if my colleagues want to find bureaucracy, to see that bureaucracy and having the opportunity to vote on out more about the American Taxpayer waste money, to see that bureaucracy legislation. Bill of Rights, I would encourage them grow because that is the way they like The bipartisan votes that I have to go to the Web site which is it. mentioned earlier will continue to add house.gov/hensarling/rsc, and you can What we are going to do in the fis- on to that list, and soon I am pretty e-mail the Republican Study Com- cally responsible Republican Study sure it will be in the high 30s and 40s mittee at [email protected]. That is Committee is put the focus on the because legislation that makes sense to the way to stay in touch with us, and American family and on the American the people back home are coming to as we talk about the principles that are taxpayer and be certain that they the floor of the House of Representa- embodied in the taxpayer bill of rights, know we are defending their rights. tives in a record number like it has we want to hear not only from our col- One of those is to limit Federal never done before. leagues that are here in the House but spending to the growth of the Amer- So I am happy that we are having from our constituents all across Amer- ican family budget. Now, this is a great these bipartisan votes. I am happy that ica, from people who want to weigh in idea that we have taken from many of we are working as though we were in on making certain that this Nation our States. the minority, hungry to provide leader- stays focused on preserving freedom, In Tennessee when I was in the State ship. I am glad that accountability is on preserving free enterprise, that we Senate, when you look at our State shining on to this floor and throughout stay focused on making certain that Constitution, you cannot grow spend- the halls of Congress, and with that, America is a prosperous Nation. ing in that State more than the growth Mr. Speaker, once again, it was an Now, our components, we have four of the budget. You have got to be cer- honor addressing the House. simple principles that we have intro- tain that you balance that out. So f duced into the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and I am certain, Mr. Speak- what we are saying is, if we have per REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE er, that people that are listening to capita income growth of 3 percent or 4 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. this say I think I have heard about a percent, then you cap your Federal PERLMUTTER). Under the Speaker’s an- bill of rights in my State; I think I growth spending at 3 percent or 4 per- nounced policy of January 18, 2007, the have heard this before. Many of our cent. You cannot be growing it 8 or 9. gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. States have because many of our You cannot keep up with that. There is BLACKBURN) is recognized for 60 min- States know they need to be respon- no way to make those numbers work utes as the designee of the minority sible with the taxpayers’ money, and unless you go into deficit spending. leader. that is one of the first lessons. Our friends across the aisle love to Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I The money that we have here in Con- rail about deficit spending. Well, how appreciate the opportunity to come to gress is not government’s money. It is did we get there? They grew a govern- the floor this evening and to talk about not the money of the House of Rep- ment so big, with entitlements so wide, something that is of tremendous im- resentatives. It is the money of the that every year they come here and it portance to the American people, and taxpayers of this great Nation. They is always a little more and a little today, we have introduced an American are the ones that have earned that more. Let us spend a little bit more, Taxpayer Bill of Rights. money. They are the ones that have and a little bit adds up to a lot, and a This is something that we have had paid their taxes. lot adds up to a deficit, and a deficit talk. We have had a lot of conversa- Most of my constituents in Ten- adds up to a debt. tion. We have heard from constituents nessee will tell me regularly, Congress So limit what the Federal Govern- around the country who have said, you does not have a revenue problem; they ment is going to spend, get in behind know what, we do not like the size of have got lots of money and they are some of these programs that have out- government. We do not like how it has right. For the past 2 years, this govern- lived their usefulness. grown. We do not like how government ment has brought in more tax revenue Every year we bring forward pro- seems to be out of control. We do not than ever in history. We have had more grams that have outlived their useful- like how the Democrats always seem to revenue come in. The problem is gov- ness. Every year we talk about pro- support the government elitists. We ernment has a spending problem. Gov- grams that need to be reduced. Every know that we need to have somebody ernment has such an appetite, it never single year we talk about ways to find there fighting for the American tax- gets enough of your money. waste, fraud and abuse. It is time for payer, fighting for the American fam- Now, my colleagues across the aisle this body to have the will and the en- ily, so that when they sit down to work like to talk about how there is all this ergy to begin to reduce spending. out their budget, when they sit down to waste and how there is all this fraud Mr. Speaker, for all the rhetoric that look at the family finances, they can and how there is all this abuse, and you comes out from some of the liberal be assured that somebody is thinking know what, they are right on that, be- elites who want to pad and grow the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:38 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.128 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE H2554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 14, 2007 bureaucracy and some of those organi- amendments. You cannot go into def- you fall in love, you get married, you zations that benefit from the bureauc- icit spending. The Federal Government pay higher taxes. The list goes on and racy, you do not hear them talking needs to adopt that practice. on. Now, that is bad enough, but that is much about the Deficit Reduction Act At this time, I would like to yield to just what would happen immediately if that this House passed and was the the gentleman from Texas (Mr. we don’t have a Taxpayer Bill of budget for 2006. The Deficit Reduction HENSARLING), who is chairman of the Rights. Act included a 1 percent across-the- Republican Study Committee, for his More importantly, as time goes by, board reduction in discretionary spend- comments on the American Taxpayer just to pay for the government we have ing. Bill of Rights that was introduced today, the government programs which today. are on automatic pilot to grow expo- b 1945 I yield to the gentleman from Texas. nentially, if I remember my 8th grade Lo and behold, that yielded a $40 bil- Mr. HENSARLING. I certainly thank geometry, it’s not growing like that, lion savings. Well, now, those on the the gentlelady for yielding, and I espe- it’s not growing like that, it’s growing left wanted to cry, oh, $40 billion is not cially thank her for her leadership. She like that. These programs are growing enough. It is a mere drop in the bucket. was one of the prime architects of the exponentially. What is going to happen It is not even a good start. Their solu- Taxpayer Bill of Rights that was un- is, as time goes by, the children and tion was to go out and propose several veiled today in the United States Cap- grandchildren of our families, they will hundred billion dollars’ worth of spend- itol. It is a very bold concept that we be facing a tax increase of almost dou- ing amendments that would increase have, and that is that taxpayers, tax- ble their present taxes. spending. payers ought to have rights that will Again, let me restate that, double That is how they wanted to reduce it. be as respected and as revered as those taxes. The average American family Not reduce what we were spending, just that are enshrined in our United States today pays about $20,000 a year com- maybe reposition some money and Constitution. bined in their Federal income taxes spend a little more. Now, why is this so important? Just and their payroll taxes. People who are So we want to be certain, the Repub- within the last 2 to 3 weeks, we have viewing this debate now, their chil- lican Study Committee, with our fis- heard reports now from the Congres- dren, their grandchildren, are going to cally responsible premises, let’s limit sional Budget Office, the Office of Man- be facing a crushing tax burden of al- it. Let’s not let this Federal budget agement and Budget, the Government most $40,000. grow more than the family budget. Accountability Office, the Chairman of Again, don’t take my word for it. Go Another of our premises is to ensure the Federal Reserve, the Secretary of to the Web site of the Office of Manage- that our Social Security remains se- the Treasury, every single person, or ment and Budget. Go to the Web site of cure. I think it is absolutely appalling every single department that is in the Government Accountability Office. that every year the Federal Govern- charge of either the monetary or fiscal The Comptroller General, I guess you ment spends the surplus from Social policy of our government have all come would call him the ‘‘chief green eye- Security, every single year. Every sin- to the same conclusion; and that is the shade guy’’ for the Federal Govern- gle year it goes into the general fund. number one challenge that we face, the ment, our key actuary, has said some- We have a plan we are going to bring number one fiscal challenge that we thing along the lines, and this is a par- forward, and we are going to see sev- face in America is the out-of-control aphrase, that we stand on the verge of eral different plans on this. Move it off spending represented by what we call being the first generation, the first budget, don’t spend it, make certain entitlement spending. generation in American history to that it is there for our seniors when Now, our friends on the other side of leave the next generation with a lower they are ready to retire. the aisle, they don’t want to do any- standard of living. Commonsense tax reforms: We have a thing to help reform entitlement Mr. Speaker, my wife and I have a 5- plan for sunsetting the Tax Code, and spending. They don’t seem to want to year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, as we sunset that Tax Code on January work with us to find better, smarter, I am not just going to sit idly by and 1 of 2011, let’s begin now and have a de- more accountable ways to deliver allow that to happen, allow that to bate. Do we want a flat tax? Do we health care and to deliver retirement happen. We have to have a Taxpayer want a fair tax? How do we want to re- security at a more reasonable and af- Bill of Rights today to save the tax- duce what the taxpayer spends? How do fordable cost. So what that means is, payers of the future from this crushing we want to reduce the tax burden? there will be a tax increase, yet an- burden. Shame on us if we do nothing, You know, one of my colleagues was other tax increase on the American if all we do is look to the next election down here a little bit earlier and was people. and not the next generation. talking about how difficult things are Now, immediately, they have their That is why it was so important, par- for working families, how difficult sights on the tax relief that was passed ticularly having the help of the things are for moms and dads who are in the last few years, the tax relief that gentlelady from Tennessee in helping working and trying to make ends meet, has now created over 7.5 million new craft this Taxpayer Bill of Rights, four and where they could go for help. You jobs in America; 7.5 million more peo- very fundamental principles that are so know the best place they could go for ple are working now because of the eco- important to the future of this coun- help? The best place to go for help is nomic growth due to that tax relief. try. right at your kitchen table when you They want to do away with that. Number one, and probably the most can look there at the papers in front of We have the highest home ownership important principle, every taxpayer you and say, we have seen our taxes re- we have ever had in the history of ought to have the right to have their duced by 15 percent, by 20 percent, by America, home ownership, part and Federal Government not grow faster 25 percent. parcel of the American dream, and than their ability to pay for it. What a There is no need for nearly 50 percent thanks to this tax relief, we have that. radical concept to think that if your of everybody’s income to end up going Household net worth is up. The unem- family budget grows 3 or 4 percent, to taxes at the local, State and Federal ployment rate is lower than it was in why should the Federal budget grow 7, level. It is time to roll that back. Give the average of the 1990s, the 1980s, the 8 or 9 percent? people first right of refusal on the 1970s, and even the 1960s. All of this is Ultimately, we cannot sustain that money that they earn in their pay- due to tax relief. growth rate, because every time, every check. But our friends on the other side of time we balloon the Federal budget, we Our fourth premise is to make cer- the aisle, they want to take it away. are putting the family budget in a vice. tain that we have a balanced budget They would take the working poor and That means there are families all over amendment, another great idea that increase their taxes 50 percent. They the Fifth District of Texas, that I have has come from our States. Many of our would take away the 10 percent brack- the honor of representing in the hal- States have balanced budget amend- et, bring back the 15 percent bracket. lowed halls of Congress, some family in ments, many of our cities and county They bring back the marriage penalty, the Fifth District of Texas, now they governments have balanced budget the marriage penalty. Tomorrow, if are not going to be able to send a kid

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:38 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.129 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE March 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2555 to college because there is a plan, they Of course, we can balance the budget fairness and some amount of ration- don’t have any rights as taxpayers, and if we double their taxes, if we take ality can come in, because if we say their taxes are going to get increased away their hopes to send a kid to col- ‘‘yes’’ to everybody who walks in our 50 to 100 percent. lege, if we take away their hopes to office today with their hand out, we Some family in the Fifth District of start a small business, if we take away end up saying ‘‘no’’ to our children’s Texas will not be able to enjoy their their hopes of providing long-term care future. version of the American dream, express for an aged parent. Sure, that is one b 2000 their entrepreneurial spirit and start way of balancing the budget, but there their first small business. Some family is another way. It is for Members of And, again, I don’t want to be a part in the Fifth District of Texas, they are Congress to actually do the hard labor of the first generation in America to not going to be able to get the proper, of prioritizing all the Federal expendi- leave the next generation a lower long-term care for an aged parent, all tures and getting there and reforming standard of living. That is not the because Uncle Sam will take more ancient programs that are no longer American way. That is not the Amer- taxes, more and more taxes, just to pay fulfilling their mission, or maybe they ican dream. There is a better way, and for the programs we have today. already have. Maybe they have already it is called the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. So we believe that every taxpayer achieved success. And with that I would be happy to ought to have the right to have their It wasn’t too long ago that I figured yield back to the gentlelady. Federal Government not grow beyond out that we were still paying for Radio Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- their ability to pay for it. The Federal Free Europe. I don’t know how many tleman from Texas for his leadership budget should not be growing faster people who are listening to the pro- on the issue. The American people have than the family budget. ceedings this evening remember Radio just so clearly said we are tired of this Second of all, we know how impor- Free Europe; it served a very vital role wasteful spending. We are tired of tant Social Security is to our seniors. in helping win the Cold War. But if I taxes that continue to go up. We are Not only am I a father, I am very remember my history properly, the tired of watching wastefulness in bu- happy that I have parents who have So- Berlin Wall came down in 1989. We reaucracies that don’t respond to you cial Security. It is part of their in- should have given everybody at Radio when you need them, when you have a come. It is a very important program. Free Europe a great party, given them problem. But every taxpayer who pays into So- a great bonus check and used that And we have heard from so many cial Security ought to have the right money to help shore up Social Secu- people today who have said, we are so to know that their Social Security rity. excited somebody has grabbed this taxes will be used only for Social Secu- President Ronald Reagan once said problem and is looking for solutions, rity. We know if we don’t reform that the closest thing to eternal life on because that is what the American peo- program, if we don’t take it away from Earth is a Federal program. So we have ple want is for this body to come to- big spending liberals in Congress, they to decide, what is the priority around gether to grab hold of problems and to are just going to blow it on something here? We need to balance the budget. work for solutions, work those prob- else. That is not right. The easiest thing Members of Con- lems through to solution, so that we Every taxpayer should have the gress do is, they say ‘‘yes’’ to some make certain that our children and our right, should have the fundamental constituency today, and then they just grandchildren are going to have a bet- right, who pays into Social Security, go ahead and send the bills to a future ter future, so that we know that we are to have that money go to Social Secu- going to leave things in better shape rity. generation. Just by leaving govern- than we found them. That is good stew- Third, the Tax Code is wrong. It is ment on automatic pilot they are send- ardship. unfair, it is complex, it is unconscion- ing bills to future generations, because And continuing to feed this bureauc- able. It ought to be pulled out by its we know again, if the Democrats on racy that started with the New Deal, roots and thrown away. Every taxpayer the other side of the aisle will not work should have the right to a fair and sim- with us to reform out-of-control, run- that started with the great society, ple Tax Code, one that they can under- away entitlement spending, again, our programs that have piled on and piled stand, one that they don’t have to em- children and grandchildren are going to on and piled on; people that are afraid ploy an army of lawyers and account- face a doubling of their taxes. That is to say no to every special interest ants to explain to them, a Tax Code unconscionable, absolutely unconscion- group that comes in this town. where, if you call the IRS, you able. It is time for things to change. The shouldn’t get five different answers So we, the conservatives within the Republican Study Committee has un- just because you talk to five different House of Representatives, represented veiled their Taxpayer Bill of Rights; people about a problem. by the Republican Study Committee, house.gov/hensarling/rsc. Or e-mail the They ought to have a right to a Tax believe that taxpayers deserve four Republican Study Committee, Code that, due to its complexity, fundamental rights: a right to have a [email protected], and give us your doesn’t send jobs overseas. government grow no faster than their comments and your feedback and par- It is time to sunset the Tax Code. We ability to pay for it; they should have ticipate with us as we look at ways to want to sunset the Tax Code in 3 years the right that every single penny of make certain that we take less from and force this body to replace it with their Social Security tax dollars goes the American worker, we take less something that will be fair, something to Social Security; they ought to have from the American family, we reduce that will be simple. the right to a fair and simple Tax Code; those taxes, and we leave that money Winston Churchill once said that and they should have the right to have there with you, without ever taking it Americans will usually do the right the Federal Government balance the away, leaving it for you so that your thing once they have exhausted every budget so that they don’t end up pay- pay check is bigger, so that you have other possibility. It is time to exhaust ing half of their tax burden for pre- got money left over at the end of the the other possibilities and help force vious generations. month, instead of having too much this Congress to do the right thing and So I am very happy that 100-plus month left over at the end of the scrap the Code. members of the Republican Study money. That is the way we need to be Fourth, the fourth right of the con- Committee have come together to em- doing it, leaving the money with the servative movement in the House, the brace this Taxpayer Bill of Rights. It is taxpayer. Republican Study Committee, we be- a very exciting concept, and one, Mr. At this time I would like to yield to lieve that every taxpayer ought to Speaker, that legislation will be intro- the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. have the right to have their Federal duced in the weeks and months to GINGREY, who has been such a leader on Government balance the budget. Fami- come, that we will be talking about fiscal issues and on the tax reform lies all across America have to balance from coast to coast, north to south, issues, and seek his comments on the their budget. Why doesn’t the Federal east to west, that we believe will cap- Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Government balance theirs and balance ture the imagination of the American Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I really it without raising their taxes? people so that finally some amount of thank the gentlelady for yielding. And

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:38 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.131 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE H2556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 14, 2007 I am sitting here chuckling a little bit being of America. And what we are want to get rid of some of these 17,000 here at that comment, too much talking about now is the fiscal well- pages of deductions and credits and month left over at the end of the being in this Taxpayer Bill of Rights, special preferences and incentives, and money. If that doesn’t cut to the chase, equally as important. they want it to be simple and easily I don’t know what does. And certainly And again, I am proud to be sup- understood. And I appreciated that. I want to compliment my colleagues portive of my colleagues in the Repub- There are those, and the gentleman from the 108th Congress. lican Study Committee. I hope that we from Georgia mentioned that, another Mrs. BLACKBURN. If the gentleman can have the Blue Dog Democrats em- of our colleagues, who supports the fair would yield. brace this TABOR, Taxpayer Bill of tax, and having just the national sales Mr. GINGREY. Of course I will yield. Rights. tax, and how important that would be Mrs. BLACKBURN. I have a con- I will tell you this, Mr. Speaker. This to allow a debate on that. How wonder- stituent who uses that phrase all the is the season of Lent. It is the season ful for the American people if both time, you know, about having too when Christians reflect on their spir- sides would come together, if they much month at the end of the money, itual life, and they think about repent- would join the fiscally responsible Re- and would like to have a little bit of ance and doing things better and being publican Study Committee and say, we money at the end of the month. better toward their fellow man and are going to have this debate. We are And today, during our press con- making sacrifices. going to get rid of this Tax Code. We ference, as we announced this, one of And I will tell you, I have thought are going to set about on the path so our colleagues was quoting one of his about that during this Lenten season; that our children and our grand- constituents named Hoss. Another of we are midway at this point, of my po- children will say, they thought about our colleagues got up and quoted the litical life and what changes I, as a me. They put in place a tax code that philosopher, Voltaire. Member, can make, representing those I can do my taxes myself. I can focus And where I come from in Tennessee, 650,000 constituents in the 11th Dis- on building a business. I will have more we generally quote country music. And trict, Northwest Georgia, what can I do money in my checking account, in my when we talk about this Tax Code, I better for them? savings account, in my business, build- generally think of the great James Have I lost my way a little bit? ing that nest egg. They will leave that Dean Hicks song sung by Randy Travis, I want to say this, Mr. Speaker. And money with the person that earns it, ‘‘When You’re In a Hole, Stop these are my two good friends that are rather than sending it to a bureaucracy Digging.’’ on the floor with me. They have not to waste on frivolous desires. And I ap- And that is what the American peo- lost their way. And they have been an preciate the comments the gentleman ple and what a lot of our constituents inspiration to me from day one, back from Georgia made on that issue. are saying. We have dug such a hole in 2003, when we were sworn in, in re- At this time, I would like to recog- with this 17,000 pages of Tax Code, and gard to their total commitment to fis- nize the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. it is taking too much away, and there cal responsibility and taking that lead- KING), who has worked diligently on is not enough to cover the expenses ership role. the issue of tax reform since he came every single month. So we are kind of I have been maybe, from time to time to this body. looking at the IRS and saying, maybe a little bit squishy. Some of those peo- And Mr. Speaker, it is a point of per- we will bury these tax books. ple that come in, you know, it is easy, sonal pride for me that our freshman And I yield back to the gentleman. everybody needs a little bit more. Just class that was sworn in in 2003, every- Mr. GINGREY. And I thank the gen- what is going to make you happy? one that is here in the 108th Congress, tlewoman; and absolutely right on tar- Well, just a little bit more spending all the Members speaking tonight were get. I also share her love of country from the Federal Government. a part of that class. music as well. But I am recommitting myself during And I yield to the gentleman from But when we did that press con- this Lenten season, both spiritually Iowa (Mr. KING). ference today, Mr. Speaker, with our and politically, because what has real- Mr. KING of Iowa. I thank the Communications Chair of the Repub- ly happened, Mr. Speaker, and I think gentlelady from Tennessee and espe- lican Study Committee, our chairman, my acting Legislative Director said cially all the work that you do and the the distinguished gentleman from this to me as we were chatting earlier way that you helped direct this com- Texas (Mr. HENSARLING) and JOHN this evening. He said, you know, Con- munications together so that it is a CAMPBELL, the gentleman from Cali- gressman, what has happened here is consistent message. And it is a privi- fornia, who chairs our Subcommittee the Federal Government has become lege to serve with you. And there is a on the Budget and Spending Task this giant riding lawnmower, this giant certain bond that comes in. When you Force and many other of the members riding lawnmower, when the Founding come into this Congress together, you of the Republican Study Committee Fathers really intended it to be a go through these wars together, and and talked about this four point Tax- weedeater, and that is exactly what you fight the battles together and payer Bill of Rights. Everything has has happened. We need to go back and stand up for Americans and for the got an acronym. You could call that with this Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go Constitution together. And those are TABOR, I guess, TABOR. But the gen- back to the days when the Federal bonds that make us stronger and make tleman from Texas who just preceded Government was a weedeater, and we us better and more unified. And when me outlined those 4 points. I don’t need can do it. And I commend my col- we see things happen that are breaking to go back into that. leagues, and I appreciate the oppor- down the opportunity for a better But clearly, the Taxpayer Bill of tunity to share those thoughts with my American destiny, that is when we Rights is just as important, as one of colleagues tonight. rally and come together for the things the Hosses from the State of Georgia, And I yield back. that are right. our dear esteemed colleague, Charlie Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- And so with the discussion that has Norwood introduced a bill a number of tleman from Georgia. I was interested been going on here, that has to do with years ago, the Patient Bill of Rights. I in some comments the gentleman from the responsibility of funding and being love that. The Patient Bill of Rights. I Georgia made earlier today as we look able to put together a real fundamental wasn’t a Member at the time. It in- at sunsetting the Tax Code. And I ap- tax reform and the reference to the fair spired me to become a Member, be- preciated his perspective on the con- tax, I need to stand and say that that cause he was concerned about the phys- versation we should have with the is something that I came to a conclu- ical well-being when the excesses of the American people about sunsetting the sion that I was supportive of that con- managed care industry, if you will, Tax Code, and then, what kind of tax cept some time in about 1980. In fact, I were really causing people a hard row we go to, and what a great and vig- know it was 1980 because it was the IRS to hoe to get to their doctor of choice. orous debate that that can be. We have that audited me one too many times in And Charlie Norwood, Dr. Charlie, had got some wonderful options to choose a row and the audit was for 1979. And as that Patient Bill of Rights because he from. And there are those that want to I sat there and my business was immo- was concerned about the physical well- reduce the limits. There are those that bilized for 4 days while I pulled pieces

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:23 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.132 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE March 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2557 out of the filing cabinet, finally we got gress, this 110th Congress. And I bring on the floor of the United States Con- that resolved. And then I went back my Bible to the floor and I swear on gress. out and climbed in the seat of a bull- my Bible, not the Koran, but the Bible, I would be happy to yield back to the dozer and I began to think, why are and I swear to uphold the Constitution lady from Tennessee, and I thank you. those people in my kitchen? Why are of the United States. Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- they looking through everything, all Well, I happen to have one here, I tleman from Iowa so much. my records that I have had for the last carry it in my jacket pocket every day. And I am so pleased that he men- several years? Who do they think they And the people who are behind the tioned the supplemental budget that are making Monday morning quarter- scenes that are drafting the supple- will come before us. I noticed today in back decisions on decisions I had to mental bill that needs to take care of an article I was reading that it would make on the fly while I was trying to our military and adding the billions of include $16 million for new House office make a living? And wouldn’t it be won- dollars onto that need to go back and space. That is not an emergency pri- derful if we could live without the In- check this Constitution in a couple of ority, it is not a war priority, that is ternal Revenue Service. places. They swore the same oath. And something that should be disclosed in And so I started with that principle, here are our constitutional responsibil- the regular budget. And I find it so cu- quickly got to the principle of, as Ron- ities as a Congress. This comes from rious that we are having this type ald Reagan said, what we tax we get article I, section 8. spending find its way into our budget. less of. What you subsidize, you get We have the responsibility and the And Mr. Speaker, that is unfortunate more of. What we tax we get less of. constitutional authority to declare that the American people are having And so the Federal Government, in war; to raise and support armies, to the wool pulled over their eyes, if you its ‘‘infinite wisdom,’’ and I do put that provide and maintain a navy, by impli- will, are being afflicted with this type in quotes, has the first lien and tax- cation, and an air force; and to make of budgeting process where there is ation on all productivity in America. rules for the government and regula- going to be all sorts of additional do- Well, I want to take that first lien off tion of the land and naval forces. mestic spending that goes into some- of all productivity. I want to untax all And we also have to recognize that in thing that is to fund our troops and to productivity. I want to untax the poor. the Constitution the President shall be meet the needs of the men and women I want to put the tax on consumption, commander in chief of the Army and in the field. not production. And if we do that, we Navy of the United States, and of the As I close this tonight, I want to go will see this Nation’s economy blossom militia of the several States when back to talking a little bit about how and grow dramatically. People will get called into actual service of the United we limit the Federal spending, how we back their freedom. Little Johnny, States. That is our constitutional obli- limit the growth in the Federal Gov- that puts up his baseball cards, or gation, Mr. Speaker. And we have all ernment. And as we have worked on Sally, that buys her Barbie doll taken the same oath. preparing this American Taxpayer Bill clothes, will have to dig a couple of And we will have another profound of Rights and as we have looked at the dimes out for Uncle Sam. And when constitutional debate here on the floor items that go into this, as we look at they see that, transaction after trans- of this Congress. And I will submit that how to grab hold of this situation and action, that generation of Americans there has not been a court test or a this problem and solve it and move the will understand how expensive the Fed- court challenge to the standards that I solution to the floor of this House, as a eral Government really is, and some of am going to ask this Congress to be way to be certain that we keep the em- those little Johnnys and Sallys will held to, and that is, this constitutional phasis on freedom and prosperity for come to this Congress and stand here standard, this standard of we declare the American people, we had a com- on this floor like we are tonight, and war, we fund the military and we hand ment that was made. And it was that they are going to say, boy, you know, the authority of commanding this mili- the Federal budget should not tell the I kind of like my freedom, and I am tary over to the commander in chief story of the government, the Federal really not that happy with more gov- because it is a constitutional right budget should tell the story of the ernment security, and we will have a that he has and a constitutional obli- American people. Nation of responsible people that will gation that we have to support and And, Mr. Speaker, I think that that be singing their voices here on the trust him as he makes those decisions, is a very appropriate way for us to con- floor of Congress and shrinking the re- those life and death decisions; and I sider this budget document and what sponsibilities that Congress has taken mean life-and-death decisions for the budget should look like and what on, and expanding personal responsi- armed services personnel, also life-and- the Federal spending should look like. bility. death decisions for American civilians, Because truly if we are listening to our Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ad- for civilians around the world. constituents, if we are making certain dress this issue of this bill that we ex- The life-and-death decisions for the that we meet our priorities of leaving pect is coming to the floor next week, life of this Nation hang in the balance. money with those who earn it, bal- and the bill that would have in it the And we think that we have 435 generals ancing the budget, making certain that supplemental appropriations for our here in the House of Representatives, the money we earn that has been set armed services, and all the bells and and 100 generals over there in the Sen- aside for our retirement and Social Se- whistles and the Christmas tree that ate, and somehow that committee of curity is there for Social Security and the people on the inside of the door 535 can come to a consensus and we can is not spent on frivolous needs, frivo- could possibly hang on there to the figure out how to fight a war which re- lous wants of the government, then we tune of, we are at least hearing $20 bil- quires intelligence, secrecy, knowl- can say, yes, indeed, the budget docu- lion in other wants that some people edge, decisionmaking, the element of ment, Federal spending, should tell the want to have that they want to bring surprise, the list could go on and on story of the American people and their to this floor when we need to make and on, all the things we could give up priorities. sure that we fund our military in a re- if we think we can micromanage a de- And, Mr. Speaker, I think if you were sponsible fashion. bate from here. to ask any of our constituents, what It is a political debate on this floor, are those priorities, what should gov- b 2015 Mr. Speaker; it is not an analytical de- ernment do? They will tell you, defend And we haven’t seen a lot of those de- bate. It needs to become a constitu- our Nation; keep us free; make certain tails. They aren’t going to come to us tional debate. I am going to stand with that we are secure; keep the emphasis in time to actually debate them and the Constitution. I am going to stand on our families; keep the emphasis on analyze them very well, but they have with my Oval Office. I am going to our communities; make certain that been leaked to the press. stand with the commander in chief, we are safe, that we are free, that we So I would like to make a point here, whether he is a Democrat or Repub- have the opportunity to seek the a point, Mr. Speaker, for the American lican, and maintain my constitutional American Dream. And as many of us people to understand. We all come responsibility here and keep my oath, would say, keep that focus on faith, down here on this floor every new Con- which I swore on my family Bible here family, freedom, hope and opportunity.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:23 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.133 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE H2558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 14, 2007 That is what we should do as we keep is supposed to go for boating. It makes to do it because that is the way it will our focus on the American Taxpayer sense that when you pay a tax for really get done. Bill of Rights. something it goes for that. But that Four rights, four simple rights in the We have been joined by the gen- isn’t what has been happening with So- American Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights tleman from California (Mr. CAMP- cial Security. Those taxes have been that, put together and enacted into law BELL), who chairs our Budget Com- lumped in with everything else and and the Constitution, will put the con- mittee. And I am going to ask him to used for whatever, and that is just straints around Congress to keep provide our closing remarks as we fin- wrong. So it should be used only for spending under control so that the ish our debate this evening on the Tax- Social Security. freedom of the taxpayers is enhanced. payer Bill of Rights, and at this time I Third, you have the right to a Tax I yield back to the lady from Ten- yield to the gentleman from California. Code that you can understand and that nessee. Mr. CAMPBELL. I thank the lady is fair and that is simple. Now, I am ac- Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- from Tennessee, Mrs. BLACKBURN, for tually a CPA, Mr. Speaker, and I have tleman from California and for his yielding and all of your great, great a Master’s in taxation. I used to pre- work in chairing our Budget Com- hard work on this and all kinds of pare tax returns for a living, that is be- mittee in the Republican Study Com- other issues on behalf of the taxpayers, cause it is not an easy thing to do, but mittee. And again, house.gov/ because that is what this is about, Mr. it should be. So what we have proposed Hensarling/rsc. E-mail us at Speaker, this is about the taxpayers, is that the Tax Code, the current lab- [email protected]. American Taxpayers Bill of Rights. It yrinth, this Byzantine Tax Code that And it looks like the final word we is about American taxpayers having in we have, these sunset; that means it can slip in here is the gentleman from law rights that they should have by ends, it quits, we repeal it as of Janu- New Jersey (Mr. GARRETT), who is a right. ary 3, 2011. That would give us 4 years, member of the Budget Committee and You know, Congressman RYAN from Mr. Speaker, if you include this year, continues to work on fiscal issues for Wisconsin today said, and I am going in which to come up with an alter- the betterment of this great Nation to paraphrase some of what he said, native, an alternative that is fair and and of our American families. that Congress should have constraints simple and understandable. I yield to the gentleman. so that the people can have more free- You know, taxes are supposed to b 2030 dom. raise the necessary revenue to fund the If you look at what has happened government’s necessary operations Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. here, in 34 out of the last 38 years, this with the least interference with com- Speaker, I appreciate that, and I will Congress has spent more money than it merce. I think you could argue that leave the final word to the gentle- took in. It ran a deficit 34 out of the the Tax Code that we have today raises woman. last 38 years. This year will be another more revenue than what the govern- I just wanted to come to the floor to one. That will be 35 out of 39 years. ment needs to do, what the government commend your work here today and Clearly something is structurally should do—not what it is doing, but the press conference that we had ear- wrong. what it should do—but it does it with a lier today and the work of the RSC on What the American Taxpayers’ Bill tremendous interference with com- this matter. of Rights will do is put some structure merce. So we would propose to sunset As was indicated earlier, the sooth- and make this structurally right. Let’s the Tax Code. sayer said to Julius Caesar ‘‘Beware just run through one more time what And the fourth right in the American the Ides of March.’’ And that is exactly those four rights are that are going to Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights is the right where we are right now, the center of restore fiscal responsibility here in to have a government that balances its March. A time of doom, a bad omen in Washington, the fiscal responsibility budget the way that people at home many ways. And it is a bad omen for that the people watching at home al- balance their budgets every year. many Americans because many Ameri- ready have. Now, as I started out in this com- cans across this country right now are First of all, you have the right to ment, 34 of the last 38 years, this gov- sitting at their kitchen tables or their know that your government will not ernment has been unable to balance its dining room tables getting all their pa- spend money faster than your ability books. Can you imagine if people at perwork together to do their taxes. Ac- to pay for it. What does that mean? home, average American taxpayers, tually, I don’t know how many Ameri- Well, Mr. Speaker, that means that if went 34 out of 38 years spending more cans still do their own taxes. Many taxpayers’ incomes go up by 3 percent money that you had, spending more people actually pay now to send it out in a given year and the government’s money than your income? You to some of these accountants out there, spending goes up by 7, you won’t be wouldn’t have lasted very long, and the that you were referencing before, to do able to pay for it. If you get a 3 percent government shouldn’t have lasted very them, because it has gotten just so raise and the government spends 7 per- long either. So we propose a constitu- complicated. It has gotten just so in- cent more money, the only thing they tional amendment to balance the budg- comprehensible. can do is increase taxes so much that et and to provide that you can’t raise Earlier today we saw the little stacks they take 100 percent of that raise and taxes without a two-thirds vote of this of books of the regulations and the then some. So the government gets to body and of the Senate. Code that is made up of the incompre- spend more while you hardworking tax- Now, a lot of people out here talk hensible regulations. And that is why payers at home actually have less balanced budgets. I bet if you asked the Americans can’t understand the entire money to spend. 435 Members of Congress if they were in Code. And for that matter, and I raised That is unsustainable. That can’t favor of a balanced budget, that 435 this question earlier, I think it would continue. And so we propose that there people would say, ‘‘yes,’’ they are. be interesting if someone did a survey be a limit on the spending of govern- Well, that is great because we have had of all the Members of the Congress and ment, that from year to year it can’t statutory balanced budgets, we have the Senate, 535 Members of the House increase spending faster than your in- this scheme today that the majority and Senate. These are the people who come increases. party has put, called PAYGO, which is actually made that Tax Code. How Second, you have the right to know a complete sham, but it is supposed to many of them actually do their own when you pay taxes for Social Security be an argument that it is somehow a taxes anymore? I don’t do it anymore that they are used for Social Security. balanced budget. Well, you know what? because, quite honestly, I find it in- That doesn’t seem like that strange a If we really want a balanced budget, a comprehensible, as well, and I send it concept. Your Social Security taxes constitutional amendment requiring a off to an expert. are supposed to go to Social Security. balanced budget will absolutely do it. The initiative that we are all pushing When you pay for a driver’s license at So now let’s ask those 435 Members here tonight is to say that it has gone the DMV, that is supposed to go to pro- of this body, okay, you say you want a far too long to have an incomprehen- vide your driver’s license. When you balanced budget. Well, then you ought sible Tax Code. We can’t be sure that pay a fee on a boat or something, that to support a constitutional amendment we are paying a fair amount if we don’t

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:38 Mar 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MR7.134 H14MRPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE March 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2559 know what we are filling out. So what OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY of my freshmen colleagues, but if we we are doing here is not only citing the IN GOVERNMENT just go through a list and you can pick problem, but setting the road to recov- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. up on any of these subjects because, ery of that problem as well by coming PERLMUTTER). Under the Speaker’s an- sadly, there are so many areas where up with a comprehensible system of nounced policy of January 18, 2007, the the past Congress had been delinquent, paying our taxes. gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. SUTTON) and we have already had to move to While that is incomprehensible, how is recognized for 60 minutes. act. The war in Iraq, between the House you fill out your taxes, what is not in- Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my and the Senate since we took the lead- comprehensible is the fact that we honor to be here today with some of ership in this body, since we became have been paying and spending far too the other Members who were newly elected just a few months ago. And, the majority under the leadership of much in the Federal Government for boy, it was a few months ago, but we Speaker NANCY PELOSI, there have been far too long. The American family real- have been making strides. And we are more than 97 oversight hearings that izes that they have to live within their here to report to the American people have looked into the conduct of the means, that they have only so much of the steps that we have taken to in- Iraq War. And certainly that was some- a paycheck each week and they have to crease the oversight and accountability thing that the American people made make sure that that goes as far as of this government. loud and clear, when they elected this their expenses, and they can’t spend I am sure that, like many of my col- new majority, that they desired. any more than that. leagues who were elected, one of the And, sadly, in the wake of revela- The Federal Government, as we reasons I am here, I came to Congress tions of inadequate care and conditions know, does that every day, spends far to clean up the culture of corruption for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed more than they take in. That is what that had so flourished under the Re- Army Medical Center, both the House the American public doesn’t under- publican leadership in previous Con- and the Senate have launched inves- stand. If the American public has to gresses. And to that end, on the very tigations and hearings into those mat- live within their means, why doesn’t first day that I was here, it was my ters. the Federal Government have to do so? honor to proudly cast a vote to end an We are also looking at the political The initiative that we are talking era of corruption in this Capitol and to ramifications of actions taken with about here would say, balance our begin to change the way this Congress U.S. attorneys and the linkage of im- budget, be just like American families is doing business. To make it such that proper phone calls from Republican at home, and live within our means. this Congress begins to enact policies Members of Congress and senior staff that benefit the American people rath- that forced resignations of those U.S. The final point is this: We have er than just the special interests and attorneys. talked in the past, also on this floor, the privileged few. The Hurricane Katrina response, we with regard to ethics, and I may be We took aim at the corruption and heard a lot right after the hurricane, wrong but I think it was in an article the abuses because it was a necessary after we saw the tragedy, not just the in The Washington Post that said, why prerequisite to creating policies that natural tragedy, but the tragedy in the are we exceeding our spending and why benefit all Americans. And people were lack of response of this government; do we have these ethical problems on K tired. People were tired back in Ohio. and we heard a lot about how we were I have the privilege to represent peo- Street and the like? And one of the rea- going to take that seriously from the ple who are the salt of the Earth. But sons they said, and this references the last Congress. And now, because they we saw both at the State level and the point that the gentleman from Iowa didn’t do that, we have been called Federal level scandal after scandal. said before, is because we exceed our upon and we have answered and House Scandals of public officials being constitutional authority, as Mr. KING committees are looking into the hous- bought off by special interests, public was pointing out; that we spend in ing and health care crisis that persists officials abusing power, and Republican areas that the Constitution never per- after that bungled response to the gulf mitted us to do in the first place. leadership and officials neglecting to provide oversight. coast disaster. The Washington Post article made Democrats, in the very first hours of And we are also looking at and ad- the same reference. If we live within this new Congress, they severed the dressing the many aspects of the cli- our means, live within the constitu- links between those who would buy in- mate crisis and our dependence on non- tional boundaries, we would meet the fluence on Capitol Hill and those who renewable fuels from foreign sources. objectives of the American family. would, unfortunately, willingly sell it Investigations, hearings, initiatives that are long overdue. And, of course, I see by the clock on the wall we are and create and facilitate this culture of there are many, many upcoming hear- coming to the end of the time. And I corruption that the American people have had to suffer under. We acted to ings. appreciate the gentlewoman’s work in And at this point what I would like this area. clean up that corruption that eroded the public trust and resulted in far too to do is, I would like to yield to my Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I many policies, as I said, that just bene- friend from Minnesota, Representative thank the gentleman from New Jersey fited the few at the expense of the ELLISON, to hear what you think about and I thank all of my colleagues for many. some of these things that we have been joining me. We have begun and we have contin- doing in this new Congress. The American Taxpayer Bill of ued to restore oversight and account- Mr. ELLISON. Congresswoman SUT- Rights, this is something we are push- ability since that first day in our gov- TON, it is a great honor to be here with you tonight together with our other ing forward to the forefront. Over the ernment through hearings and greater colleagues in the freshman class who past 60 years an enormous bureaucracy transparency, through initiatives that will be speaking in just a moment be- has been built. Our Democrat friends we have enacted and we continue to cause I think it is important that the continue to want to feed that bureauc- enact. And this strong congressional American people know that the fresh- racy. We say, it is time for the spend- oversight in the 110th Congress has dra- man members of the Democratic Cau- ing, it is time for the increased taxing, matically reversed years of neglect of cus came to this Congress, not to oc- to stop. They had power for 2 days the constitutional role of the Congress cupy space, not to warm a seat, but to when they raised your spending. They in providing oversight of Federal ac- create positive change for the Amer- had power for 2 weeks when they raised tivities. The American people have had ican people, to project a vision, a vi- your taxes. The American taxpayer de- enough. They have suffered enough sion of inclusion, of a generosity of serves a break. from the lack of oversight. And I am so fairness, a vision that says that this House.gov/hensarling/rsc, the fiscally happy to be here with my new col- economy should be one where every- responsible Republican Study Com- leagues in this role to clean it up. body can be successful. mittee has proposed the American Tax- Just to name a couple of things, and This government should be one where payer Bill of Rights. then I am going to pass it off to some everyone has access, not just lobbyists

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