[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TAX CODE TERMINATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, it has become abundantly clear that the 
Internal Revenue Code is no longer working in a fair manner for our 
Nation's citizens. Many Americans look at the dim state of our economy 
and the billions of their tax dollars that are being given to private 
businesses, and they want to know why their Tax Code is so unfair. The 
Tax Code Americans are forced to comply with discourages savings and 
investment, and it is impossibly complex. It has become all too clear 
that the current code is broken beyond repair and cannot be fixed, so 
we must start over. For this reason, I rise today to reintroduce the 
Tax Code Termination Act.
  This bipartisan legislation, which I have introduced with nearly 70 
cosponsors, will accomplish two goals: It will abolish the Internal 
Revenue Code by December 31, 2012, and call on Congress to approve a 
new Federal tax system by July of that same year.
  At a time when Americans devote a total of 7 billion hours each year 
to comply with the Tax Code, we need tax simplification. A few years 
ago, Money Magazine asked 50 professional tax preparers to file a 
return for a fictional family. No one came up with the same tax total, 
nor did any of the preparers calculate what Money Magazine thought was 
the correct Federal income tax. Results varied by thousands of dollars.
  The need for tax simplification is further highlighted by the tax 
problems experienced by some of President Obama's cabinet nominees. 
These are highly educated individuals, some of whom claim specialized 
knowledge of the Tax Code, and one of whom will actually be in charge 
of ensuring compliance with the Tax Code, Treasury Secretary Geithner. 
And even they cannot correctly file their taxes.
  In addition, in today's Politico, there was an article detailing the 
problems that members of the Senate have in filing and complying with 
the Tax Code. In fact, the title is, ``For Senators, Tax Questions Are 
Taxing.''
  If it is this hard for government officials, including those who 
write and enforce the Tax Code, to comply with the code, then imagine 
what it is like for the average American family to comply with it. All 
Americans find the Tax Code, well, taxing.
  While almost every Member would recognize that our Tax Code is no 
longer working in a fair manner for Americans, nothing has been done to 
create a more equitable Tax Code. Congress won't act on fundamental tax 
reform unless it is forced to do so. My bill will force Congress to 
finally debate and address fundamental tax reform.
  Once this bill becomes law, today's oppressive Tax Code would survive 
for only 4 more years, at which time it would expire and be replaced by 
a new Tax Code that will be determined by Congress, the President, and 
the American people. This legislation will allow us as a Nation to 
collectively decide what the new tax system should look like. Having a 
date certain to end the current Tax Code will force the issue to the 
top of the national agenda. Although many questions remain about the 
best way to reform our tax system, I am certain that if Congress is 
forced to address the issue, we can create a Tax Code that is simpler, 
fairer, and better for our economy than the one we are forced to comply 
with today.
  Whichever tax system is adopted, the key ingredients should be a low 
rate for all Americans, tax relief for working people, protection of 
the rights of taxpayers, and reduction in tax collection abuses, 
promotion of savings and investment, and encouragement of economic 
growth and job creation. Taxes may be unavoidable, but they don't have 
to be unfair and overcomplicated. Just like other programs that require 
reauthorization, the Tax Code must be reviewed to examine whether it is 
fulfilling its intended purpose, and then Congress must make any 
changes that are necessary.
  America's future depends on overcoming the handicap of the current 
Tax Code. There is a widespread consensus that the current system is 
broken, and keeping it is not in America's best interest. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation and end the broken tax system 
that exists today.

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