[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 6413]]

                TAX LIMITATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2000

  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the H.J. Res. 94, 
the Tax Limitation Constitutional Amendment. I would first like to 
thank my distinguished colleague from Texas, Representative Pete 
Sessions for sponsoring this overdue piece of legislation. This 
legislation of which I am cosponsor, requires any tax increase passed 
by Congress to be supported by more than a simple majority. The Tax 
Limitation Amendment states that any tax increase must pass by a two-
thirds vote of Congress.
  Taxes are the most fundamental means of pricing out the government, 
and yet few taxpayers understand the price that they pay when members 
of Congress pass tax increases by a simple majority. Currently, 14 
states require tax limitation standards, which have caused tax and 
spending decreases while increasing employment and economic expansion. 
Why not implement a tax limitation standard on the federal level so 
that this same effect can be felt by all Americans?
  There are a number of important issues which require a two-thirds 
vote by Congress such as amending the Constitution, overriding a 
Presidential veto; two events which clearly require the parties of 
Congress to come to a consensus. The decision to increase taxes is an 
important issue and it too should require more than a majority, it 
should require a consensus.
  When Congress votes yes to increase taxes, it has an effect on 
everyone. When I was elected to represent the second district of 
Nebraska, one of my priorities was to fight against any and all 
attempts by the federal government to take more money away from my 
constituents. Last year many of my colleagues and I voted to cut $792 
billion dollars in taxes for hard-working Americans, a great effort 
which was vetoed by the President. Unfortunately, we had no hope of 
overriding the Presidents veto because we could not muster the two-
thirds votes necessary from the House. Any attempt by members of 
Congress to cut taxes is put in jeopardy by the Presidents ability to 
veto. We should require any increase in taxes to receive overwhelming 
support of Congress--a two-thirds vote.
  Many of the major tax increases levied on Americans have passed 
without a two-thirds vote. In 1982, Congress passed the Tax Equity and 
Fiscal Responsibility Act which cost the taxpayer $214 billion dollars 
without a two-thirds vote; Congress passed the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1987 totaling $40 billion dollars without a two-
thirds vote; Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1989 for $25 billion dollars without a two-thirds vote; Congress passed 
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 for a whopping $137 
billion dollars without a two-thirds vote. Finally, Congress passed one 
of the largest tax increases in American history, the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1993 for $275 billion dollars by 1 vote not a 
two-thirds vote. I believe that I have made my point. If you are going 
to send Americans a tax bill, you better have the support from two-
thirds of Congress.
  The economy of the United States is at a fiscally sound level, but 
our taxes remain to be the highest they have been since World War II. 
As Congress, our main goal is to keep our economy sound and contribute 
to the current prosperity. Preventing future tax increases will help us 
in this mission. One way to accomplish this is to require a two-thirds 
vote from Congress before making a decision that could alter our lives.
  Federal tax laws have numerous unintended consequences on Americans. 
Congress needs to make decisions in the best interest of Americans by 
ensuring that any federal tax increase is supported by more than just a 
simple majority. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill.

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