[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H8973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             TAX EXTENDERS

  (Mr. SCHRADER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to state my 
opposition to the $800 billion of unpaid tax extenders now being 
discussed in Congress.
  It is incomprehensible to me that Republicans and Democrats would 
entertain adding $800 billion to the $19 trillion debt that we already 
have, a debt that our children and grandchildren will end up having to 
pay.
  Just as every well-meaning program should be paid for in these tough 
times, so should every tax incentive. This is especially true when 
those incentives are being expanded beyond their original purpose and 
made permanent.
  What we really need, colleagues, is having a more comprehensive 
discussion on tax policy and entitlement reform. We probably have too 
many tax breaks. We should broaden the tax base, frankly, and reduce 
our tax load.
  We must deal seriously with the long-term debt and deficits. Adding 
this additional burden to the out-of-control debt we already have is 
absolutely destructive to our country's future.
  As one of the former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, the 
greatest threat to our Nation is not from abroad, but our national 
debt.

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