[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE ``TAX CODE TERMINATION ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2013

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, our Nation watched as we recently ended 
another battle over our Nation's tax-and-spend policies. While many 
Americans are now left trying to decipher how their taxes will be 
changing for the coming year, all Americans are, yet again, forced to 
comply with a tax code that is no longer working in a fair manner for 
our Nation's citizens. While almost every Member would acknowledge that 
our tax code is no longer working in a fair manner for Americans, 
nothing has been done to create a more equitable tax code. So today I 
rise to reintroduce the Tax Code Termination Act.
  The Tax Code Termination Act will force Congress to finally debate 
and address fundamental tax reform. This bi-partisan legislation is 
simple. It will abolish the Internal Revenue Code by December 31, 2017, 
and call on Congress to approve a new Federal tax system by July of the 
same year.
  As recently shown, Congress will not reach a consensus on a 
contentious issue, such as tax reform, unless it is forced to do so. My 
bill will do exactly that: force Congress to finally address 
fundamental tax reform.
  Though many questions and ideas remain about the best way to reform 
our tax system, I am certain that if Congress is forced to address the 
issue we can create a tax code that is simpler, fairer, and better for 
our economy than the one we are forced to comply with today.
  Whichever tax system is adopted, the key ingredients should be: a low 
rate for all Americans; tax relief for working people; protection of 
the rights of taxpayers and reduction in tax collection abuses; 
promotion of savings and investment; and encouragement of economic 
growth and job creation. Taxes may be unavoidable but they don't have 
to be unfair and overcomplicated.
  Once the Tax Code Termination Act becomes law, today's oppressive tax 
code would survive for only 4 more years, at which time it would expire 
and be replaced with a new tax code that will be determined by 
Congress, the President, and the American people. This legislation will 
allow us, as a nation, to collectively decide what the new tax system 
should look like. Having a date-certain to end the current tax code 
will force the issue to the top of the national agenda.
  America cannot continue down this path of irresponsible tax-and-spend 
policies. There is widespread consensus that the current system is 
broken, and keeping it is not in America's best interest. The American 
people deserve a certainty, fairness, and assurance that our current 
tax code cannot provide them. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and end the broken tax system that exists today and provide 
a tax code that the American people deserve.

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