[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   REPEAL TAX HIKE ON SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, thousands of seniors in my home State of 
Washington are suffering from last year's massive tax hike on Social 
Security benefits. As many seniors are painfully aware, the 1993 tax 
bill included a whopping tax hike of up to 70 percent on some Social 
Security benefits.
  Recently, I asked constituents all across Washington about this tax 
increase to get their feelings on the matter. Overwhelmingly, they 
responded that the tax increase was unjust, unfair, and unwarranted. 
They tell me that it needs to be repealed--now. I agree wholeheartedly 
and am working hard to see that happen.
  I have frankly been outraged by the willingness of this Congress to 
heap more and more taxes on the backs of seniors. Seniors are not 
greedy. They are not selfish. They are trying to make ends meet on a 
fixed income, after having spent years and years building up the 
economy of this country. They deserve our heartfelt thanks, not a grab 
at their pocketbooks. They are justifiably angry.
  Let me just read what a few of my constituents have to say on this 
topic. A senior in Olympia says it is ``wrong to put a high tax on 
seniors' Social Security. Our government made a contract with all 
citizens and we were forced to pay into the plan all our working lives. 
It is unconscionable that we could now be forced to give up those 
Social Security benefits to high taxes.''
  A man in Vancouver, in discussing Congress' tax increase, asks ``They 
think this is fair?'' A woman characterizes the Social Security tax 
hike as ``putting the squeeze on taxpayers for expanded programs.'' A 
man in Issaquah says ``this is just a back-door method of raiding 
Social Security to finance who knows what.'' And a man in Auburn says 
``New taxes on Social Security should be repealed now!''
  Mr. President, I agree. That is why I cosponsored S. 1408, to 
completely repeal the tax hike imposed by last year's tax bill. It is 
critical legislation for this country's senior citizens. And I will, 
with the help of the people of Washington State, continue fighting to 
pass it.

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