[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2000

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the Social 
Security Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4865). By repealing the 1993 tax increase 
on Social Security benefits, Congress will take a good first step 
toward eliminating one of the most unfair taxes imposed on seniors: the 
tax on Social Security benefits.
  Eliminating the 1993 tax on Social Security benefits has long been 
one of my goals in Congress. In fact, I introduced legislation to 
repeal this tax increase in 1997, and I am pleased to see Congress 
acting on this issue. I would remind my colleagues that the 
justification for increasing this tax in 1993 was to reduce the budget 
deficit. Now, President Clinton, who first proposed the tax increase, 
and most members of Congress say the deficit is gone. So, by the 
President's own reasoning, there is no need to keep this tax hike in 
place.
  Because Social Security benefits are financed with tax dollars, 
taxing these benefits is yet another incidence of ``double taxation.'' 
Furthermore, ``taxing'' benefits paid by the government is merely an 
accounting trick, a ``shell game'' which allows members of Congress to 
reduce benefits by subterfuge. This allows Congress to continue using 
the Social Security trust fund as a means of financing other government 
programs and mask the true size of the federal deficit.
  Mr. Speaker, the Social Security Tax Relief Act, combined with our 
action earlier this year to repeal the earnings limitation, goes a long 
way toward reducing the burden imposed by the Federal Government on 
senior citizens. However, I hope my colleagues will not stop at 
repealing the 1993 tax increase, but will work to repeal all taxes on 
Social Security benefits. I am cosponsoring legislation to achieve this 
goal, H.R. 761.
  Congress should also act on my Social Security Preservation Act (H.R. 
219), which ensures that all money in the Social Security Trust Fund is 
spent solely on Social Security. When the government takes money for 
the Social Security Trust Fund, it promises the American people that 
the money will be there for them when they retire. Congress has a moral 
obligation to keep that promise.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help free senior 
citizens from oppressive taxation by supporting the Social Security 
Benefits Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4865). 1 also urge my colleagues to join 
me in working to repeal all taxes on Social Security benefits and 
ensuring that moneys from the Social Security trust fund are used 
solely for Social Security and not wasted on frivolous government 
programs.

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