[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          STEALTH TAX INCREASE

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, somebody has to pay for this massive 
wasteful spending by the Federal Government.
  So to obtain more revenue, the budget proposal is to cut deductions 
Americans now receive. The charitable giving deduction will be cut. 
Thus charities, not government entities, by the way, such as churches, 
the YMCA and groups such as that that feed the hungry and help in 
disasters, take care of crime victims, and help the homeless, will be 
struggling for funds. Now the government will get that money.
  The removal of this deduction will discourage gifts by Americans. 
Americans are the most cheerful contributors in the world to charities, 
but that may now end.
  The home mortgage deduction also is going to be reduced. The effect 
of reducing this deduction and the charitable-giving deduction will 
have the effect of a stealth tax increase on all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, it doesn't make any sense to raise taxes on anyone 
during a recession, especially homeowners and those that give to the 
needy.
  And that's just the way it is.

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