[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           REPEAL OF GAS TAX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, very briefly, we have had 
almost 10 days of vigorous discussion on one of the striking concerns 
or outcries of the American public. It is not that the American public 
is not willing to pay their fair share, it is a question of fairness, 
and that is, of course, with the increasing cost of gasoline at the gas 
pump.
  Many of us on both sides of the aisle have agreed that we need to 
assess the gasoline tax and seek its repeal. We also have heard from 
the President of the United States, who indicated his willingness to 
consider such repeal because he too believes in fairness. But we have 
not yet been able to resolve how we should move forward to come 
together on behalf of the American people.
  I must take great issue with one representation by those of the 
majority that we will repeal and take it out of education. If there is 
ever a contradiction, that is one. The American people wholeheartedly 
support the education of their children. They, too, realize that 
education is the cornerstone of success in the 21st century.
  So it is the evening that I have filed legislation to repeal the 
gasoline tax of 4.3 percent and to allow that offset to come from our 
defense budget, which is in excess of the budget requested by the 
Department of Defense. Again, the American people simply want fairness, 
and that fairness is to address their outcry in a manner that balances 
the burdens and benefits across this Nation.
  I think that we should address it, ensure that we continue to educate 
our children, and be able to find a responsible offset that allows for 
a continued move toward a fiscally responsible government and one that 
responds to the concerns of working America, people who work every 
single day and simply want a fair shake.

                              {time}  2300

  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting my 
legislation and acknowledging that it is time now to give America its 
fair shake and repeal the 4.3-cent gasoline tax.

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