[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR TAX HIKES

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after just passing a $1 
trillion spending plan, the Democrats in Congress claim they will tax 
and spend our way out of this economic gloom. I believe we should root 
out government waste before we add new government spending, and we 
don't want to increase taxes when folks are already feeling pinched by 
this tough economy.
  In the Texas State House, the Speaker threatened to kick me off Ways 
and Means if I didn't vote to raise taxes. I just said ``no.'' When I 
didn't vote to raise taxes, they booted me off the committee. What can 
I say--there were no new taxes in Texas. How about America?
  This Congress must approve a Federal spending freeze before we can 
consider tax hikes during these uncertain economic times. The last 
thing we need to do is push consumer confidence even lower. Let's take 
tax hikes off the table.

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