[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E127]]



   EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE THAT SCHEDULED TAX RELIEF SHOULD NOT BE 
                         SUSPENDED OR REPEALED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2002

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, we made a promise to the American taxpayer 
last year when Congress worked together with the President to return a 
portion of the excessive taxes the government collected. Now it seems 
some are calling for Congress to break that commitment and reverse some 
of the tax refunds. It is bad enough when the government collects too 
may taxes. But it is even worse when the government tries to take back 
money for the second time--money we have already promised to return.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had hundreds of my constituents from the Fourth 
District of Kansas tell me that they were so grateful for the tax 
relief signed into law last year. I would hate to have to tell them 
that Congress has changed its mind, that we are not really going to 
return as much money as we originally agreed to do.
  Taxpaying families pay too much as it is. Rather than raise taxes, we 
need to affirm that the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation 
Act of 2001 was good for all Americans last year, and it is still good 
for all Americans this year. Congress worked hard with the President, 
in a bipartisan fashion, to return some of the excessive taxes to the 
working people of America. And we should declare that the tax relief 
should go on as scheduled over the next decade. More than that, Mr. 
Speaker, Congress should make the tax cuts permanent.
  Today I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 
312, the resolution that affirms tax relief for all taxpayers. The 
American people need to know that we are serious about our commitments. 
And especially during this time of economic recession, we must declare 
our resolve to the hard-working men and women who pay taxes that we 
will not break our promise. We will not raise your taxes.
  Mr. Speaker, keep the tax cuts in place.

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