[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S428-S429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 65--OPPOSING A NATIONAL SALES TAX ON WORKING FAMILIES 
          AND SUPPORTING A TAX CUT TO BENEFIT THE MIDDLE CLASS

  Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Cortez Masto, 
Mr. Fetterman, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Reed, Mr. 
Kaine, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Brown, and Mr. 
Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Finance:

                               S. Res. 65

       Whereas hardworking families have faced significant 
     economic challenges over the past few years, including high 
     gas prices, rising costs for groceries, and increasing rent 
     and home prices due to record-high inflation;
       Whereas elected leaders should be working to relieve 
     individuals in the United States of the financial pressure at 
     the kitchen table, and pass legislation that brings down 
     costs rather than raises prices;
       Whereas Republicans in Congress have introduced and plan to 
     consider H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2023, which would impose 
     a new national sales tax and increase the price of all goods 
     and services by 30 percent;
       Whereas, under this legislation, it is estimated that, for 
     a family in the United States--
       (1) the average yearly grocery bill would rise by $3,500;
       (2) the cost of buying a car would go up $10,000; and
       (3) the cost of buying a home would increase by $125,000;
       Whereas the price increases brought on by the FairTax Act 
     of 2023 would disproportionately impact retirees, seniors, 
     and those living on a fixed income by raising prices on 
     individuals whose incomes will remain flat as prices rise;
       Whereas this misguided legislation, which places a 
     financial burden on seniors and hardworking families, also 
     eliminates all income taxes for the ultra-rich;
       Whereas in recent years, Republicans in Congress have given 
     massive tax cuts to billionaires and giant corporations at 
     the expense of middle class families;
       Whereas Republicans in Congress have suggested paying for 
     past tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy by 
     cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid;
       Whereas Democrats in Congress passed the largest middle 
     class tax cut in generations through the American Rescue Plan 
     Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2; 135 Stat. 4), which expanded 
     the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, 
     cutting child poverty nearly in half in 2021; and
       Whereas individuals in the United States deserve real 
     bipartisan tax reform and a simpler, fairer tax code aimed at 
     supporting the middle class: Now therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) strongly opposes H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2023, 
     which would impose an effective 30 percent sales tax on all 
     goods and services, raising prices for hardworking families, 
     seniors, and other individuals in the United States working 
     to make ends meet;
       (2) supports the passage of a responsible tax cut that 
     would actually benefit hardworking families and grow the 
     middle class,

[[Page S429]]

     while making the ultra-wealthy and billion-dollar 
     corporations pay their fair share; and
       (3) opposes paying for any tax cuts with cuts to Social 
     Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, or cuts to pay and benefits 
     for our servicemembers, veterans, or law enforcement.

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