[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 116 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H5738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DEBT CONTRIBUTION ACT

  (Mr. STIVERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STIVERS. It has been said, ``A journey of a thousand miles begins 
with a small step.''
  Today, with a looming national debt of over $14.2 trillion, we need 
to take dramatic steps to decrease spending, but we can make a 
difference by taking small steps as well. Throughout our Nation's 
economic crisis, I've heard from constituents who have said they want 
to do more to pay off the national debt.
  I voluntarily give back $700 from every paycheck to help pay down the 
national debt, and I wanted to make it easier for like-minded citizens 
to do the same. That's why I've sponsored the Debt Contribution Act, 
which creates a checkoff box on the tax return for individuals who want 
to donate money to pay down the national debt. It ensures 100 percent 
of those proceeds are used to pay down the national debt, and it makes 
sure that it's still a tax deductible contribution, which it has been 
since 1964.
  So with a national debt of over $14.2 trillion, we won't be running a 
surplus anytime soon, but we can allow patriotic Americans who want to 
volunteer and give money to pay down the national debt to do that, and 
I hope my colleagues will help me support and pass the Debt 
Contribution Act.

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