[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              THE FAIR TAX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Moran) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, this past weekend, like many 
Americans, my wife and I sat at our kitchen table and worked on getting 
our taxes figured out so we could file our return. Across our country, 
millions of Americans are working to finalize their annual tax return. 
It is clear that our system of income taxes is broken. To restore our 
Nation's economic health, increase personal liberty, reduce cheating 
and confusion, and restore fairness, Congress must abandon our current 
tax code and replace it with something much better.
  There is no reason that paying taxes should be so complicated and so 
confusing. The burden in this process that is placed upon individuals 
and small businesses must be relieved. The IRS itself has estimated 
that 7.6 billion hours are spent in tax preparation every year. That 
7.6 billion hours equates to 3.8 million people working full time for a 
full year. Congress can simplify this process and reduce the amount of 
time and energy spent on paying our taxes.
  As a longtime supporter of the FAIR Tax, I see H.R. 25 as a step in 
the direction of liberty and prosperity. The FAIR Tax seeks to 
eliminate the payroll, estate, and many other taxes to be replaced by a 
national sales tax levied on purchased goods. Overhauling the U.S. Tax 
Code is not an easy task to undertake, but reducing the burden of 
filing taxes should be a priority in this Congress. Anyone who views 
our tax collection practices can see the flaws. The question is whether 
Congress has the courage and determination to change it.
  The process of tax reform has major consequences for every American, 
but it is a process that must be started because the consequences of 
inaction are too costly. The truth remains that Americans want and need 
some sort of tax filing relief. The need for commonsense reform becomes 
more obvious during this tax season.
  I have called on the newly installed chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) to schedule a 
hearing on the FAIR Tax. I encourage my colleagues who are serious 
about starting an open conversation on tax reform to join me in this 
request. The American people are ready to have that conversation, and 
their representatives should be also.

                              {time}  1145

  Americans are in need of tax reform and simplification, but instead, 
all they are getting from this Congress is increased spending and 
record deficits. By reforming this broken process, Americans will once 
more be in charge of their lives and their money.
  Over the course of the last several years, American taxpayers have 
become much more attentive to what is and what is not happening in 
Washington, DC. Tea Party protests and fair tax advocates are making 
their voices heard. Their message is clear to Congress if Congress will 
only listen--simplify the tax code. In doing so, we will create an 
opportunity for economic growth and new prosperity while increasing 
personal freedom and liberty.
  April 15 is now less than 1 month away. No more business as usual. 
Let's not let another tax year go by without action to replace our 
convoluted, confusing, and freedom-restricting tax code.

                          ____________________