[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E543-E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 159, 
               CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO TAXES

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 1996

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I come back to Washington today after an 
important district work period. I say important because with tax day 
approaching, and now finally here, I heard time and time again from 
constituents who are overtaxed. As a result, they find it very 
difficult to save for retirement, for a down payment on a home, and for 
a college education for their children
  The American people aren't dumb. They know all to well that the 
largest obstacle to their personal prosperity is an out-of-touch 
Government that spends without restraint and looks to the taxpayers to 
bail it out after the fact.
  Some in this Chamber may have forgotten that President Clinton's 1993 
tax hike was passed out of this body by a single vote. I am here to 
tell you that the people of the 11th district haven't forgotten that 
vote that enacted the greatest tax increase in the history of our 
Nation, no, the history of civilization. My constituents, who have been 
squeezed by this additional tax, know all to well what $1,100 in 
additional taxes has meant for them. This was the single largest 
contributing factor to the doubling of the American tax burden from 
$2,300 in 1980 to $4,800 in 1995. According to the Census Bureau, 
household incomes were actually lower in 1994 than they were when Bill 
Clinton took office in 1992 and there is no evidence to suggest that 
they have risen since then because economic growth has been so slow.
  That is why I am proud to come to the well today as a cosponsor of 
this historic legislation to bring some accountability to the Halls of

[[Page E544]]

Congress. The American people support making it more difficult for 
Congress to raise taxes. They ought to * * * Currently, one third of 
all Americans live in a State with a tax limitation in the 
Constitution. These citizens know first hand what a tax limitation 
amendment can do.
  In States with a tax limitation taxes grow at a slower rate. This 
slower rate means that citizens in those States have a fighting chance 
to get ahead and to save. Economies and employment also grow at faster 
rates in States that have tax limitations.
  Mr. Speaker, every year tax freedom day gets later and later. 
Currently, Americans need to work until May to pay off their yearly tax 
burden. Today, we have an opportunity to end this insanity. I urge my 
colleagues to bring accountability to Congress and freedom to the 
American taxpayer by passing this important tax limitation amendment to 
the Constitution.

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