[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           RETROACTIVE TAXES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Margolies-Mezvinsky). Under the 
Speaker's announced policy of February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Ramstad] is recognized during morning 
business for 3 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, sports fans, concerned taxpayers of 
America, the ball is back in our court. Yesterday the Supreme Court 
threw the ball on retroactive taxes squarely back into the court of 
Congress.
  The Court, while barely affirming the authority of Congress to pass 
retroactive taxes, said clearly, and I am quoting now, ``The wisdom of 
such legislation remains within the exclusive province of the 
legislative and executive branches.''
  Are retroactive taxes wise? That is the question the Congress must 
now answer. Are retroactive taxes fair? That is the question that 
Congress must now answer. Are they good economics? Of course not.
  Are they fair? Of course not.
  Taxpayers simply cannot plan their household finances, if the rules 
can be changed after the game starts. Small business owners who create 
85 percent of the jobs cannot make business plans if Congress passes 
taxes after the games starts?
  Retroactive taxes are clearly unfair, unwise, and bad economics.
  Madam Speaker, as I see it, we now have two choices: One, we could 
view the decision, and I am sure some will, as a green light to raise 
retroactive taxes retroactively whenever the money gets tight. Of 
course, the way Congress spends money, that means all the time. That is 
a frightening prospect around here. So I think the better alternative 
is to take steps to ensure that Congress never again raises taxes 
retroactively.
  That is why I introduced House Resolution 247, to amend the House 
rules to prevent this body from ever again passing retroactive taxes.
  In light of the Carlton decision yesterday, it is now more important 
than ever for all Members to join 160 of our colleagues already on both 
sides of the aisle who already support this bill that I have introduced 
which would outlaw future application of retroactive taxes.
  But to get the ball into play, we must sign Discharge Petition No. 
11.
  Madam Speaker, it is now up to us to protect the American taxpayers. 
It is now up to us to say no to retroactive taxes ever again. The 
voters and the taxpayers of America are watching all of us. They are 
watching to see if we will sign Discharge Petition No. 11 as we do not 
fumble the ball on retroactive taxes.

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