[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4132-H4133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TAXPAYER EMPOWERMENT AND ADVOCACY ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Barrett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, we are facing serious 
economic challenges. In my home State of South Carolina, the 
unemployment rate is right at 11 percent. We all know someone who has 
been personally affected by these tough times, a friend, a neighbor, a 
family member. We have all seen the ``going out of business'' signs 
hanging in the front doors of local shops and stores.
  The people we represent are looking to Congress for answers, Madam 
Speaker. But the so-called solutions coming from the Washington 
Democrats call for more spending, more borrowing, and more taxing. The 
President's budget increases taxes by nearly $2 trillion, doubles the 
national debt in less than 6 years, and spends $4 trillion alone this 
year. And, of course, who can forget all of the wasteful spending in 
the stimulus bill: $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, 
$300 million for green golf carts, and $30 million to

[[Page H4133]]

protect a mouse in San Francisco. And that is just to name a few.
  Taxpayers have had enough. Across our State and across this country, 
they are gathering together to voice their outrage. Inspired by our 
Nation's early patriots, thousands of taxpayers are gathering at 
hundreds of modern-day tea parties to protest Washington's wasteful 
spending, the Democrat-written stimulus package, the housing bailout, 
and President Obama's budget. A recent tea party in Greenville, South 
Carolina, attracted more than 2,000 participants, and a similar rally 
in Cincinnati drew more than 4,000 dissatisfied taxpayers.
  I want to let the people know that I hear what they are saying, and, 
Madam Speaker, I am doing something about it. Today I am introducing 
the Taxpayer Empowerment and Advocacy Act, the TEA Act.
  Over the next 5 years, the TEA Act will save taxpayers over one-half 
trillion dollars by reducing spending, restricting the growth of 
government, and strengthening the definition of emergency spending to 
close loopholes and prevent abuse.
  Across South Carolina, around kitchen tables and behind the small 
business counters, individuals are making tough decisions about their 
budgets. But Congress has refused to do the same, and it is time for 
that to change. I believe the TEA Act is a start to setting Congress on 
a new, more accountable course, and to protect the taxpayers' best 
interest. Enough is enough.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and protecting 
the American taxpayer.

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