[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8471-H8472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF IS BEST ANSWER

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the average working family in Nevada toiled 
until May 14 of this year just to pay their tax bill. Now, this seems 
not only unbelievable but unconscionable, as well. However, it is true, 
and here is why:
  Mr. Speaker, Americans are paying a record-high 21 percent of their 
gross

[[Page H8472]]

domestic product in taxes, the highest since World War II according to 
the Congressional Budget Office.
  The average U.S. household will pay approximately $5,307 more in 
taxes to their Government than it needs over the next 10 years 
according to the Congressional Research Service.
  The typical American working family pays more than 38 percent of its 
income in total taxes, more than it spends on food, clothing, and 
shelter combined. The average household pays $9,445 in federal income 
taxes alone, which is twice what it paid in 1985.
  Is it any wonder that Americans feel as though they are working 
harder than ever but cannot seem to get ahead?
  Broad-based tax relief is the best answer. Working families should 
not be working for Washington. Rather, Washington should be working for 
families.
  I yield back any change we have in our pockets.

                          ____________________