[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E728-E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

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                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Budget 
Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008. At a time when we need to be fiscally 
responsible, the Democrats unveiled a budget plan that would increase 
taxes and increase spending.
  Cutting taxes, not increasing taxes, is the solution to spurring 
economic growth. Our economic recovery after the $2 trillion of the 
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was directly related to these 
creative tax cuts. We

[[Page E729]]

have witnessed more money being kept in the taxpayers' pocketbooks and 
more small businesses being established due to the 2001 and 2003 tax 
cuts. In fact, my district, which was hardest hit community after 
September 11, 2001, is now recovering due to accelerated depreciation 
and other tax incentives.
  Instead of recognizing this truism, the Democrat budget will impose 
the largest tax increase in American history. The tax relief Americans 
have been enjoying would cease to exist under this legislation. The 
Marriage Penalty Relief would be eliminated and 23 million taxpayers 
would see their taxes increase by an average of $466 in 2011. As we 
continue on down the list of tax hikes, 31 million taxpayers would be 
affected by the Child Tax Credit being cut in half. Their taxes would 
increase by an average of $859 in 2011.
  These tax increases are not for a greater good of reducing the 
deficit but to allow Democrats the freedom to spend more and expand the 
government. My colleagues seem to be living up to their moniker ``Tax 
and Spend'' Democrats. This budget is above and beyond the President's 
request and would amount to some $22.5 billion in spending in 2008 
alone for nondefense and nonemergency appropriations. The bill also 
does not include any meaningful entitlement reform--the most 
problematic detriment to our deficit.
  This is not a plan for fiscal responsibility. This is a plan to spend 
the taxpayers' money flippantly. We need to be conscious of how the 
American taxpayers' money is spent. As Members of Congress we were sent 
here to look out for the best interests of our constituents and this 
budget resolution in not proving to do that.

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