[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4735]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    MAKE THE BUSH TAX CUTS PERMANENT

  (Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, American families have recently 
completed the dreaded chore of preparing their tax returns, but this 
year, many found a bonus. The IRS reports that the average income tax 
refund is over $1,000, significantly higher than last year. What does 
this mean? Taxpayers are reaping the benefits of the Bush tax cut. Here 
in Congress, we should be proud of the cut that enables families to 
keep more of what they earn and for causing the economy to rebound as 
well.
  But there is trouble on the horizon. Unless Congress takes action, 
this significant tax cut will expire in the year 2010 and our taxes 
will be raised.
  It was over 2 centuries ago that Benjamin Franklin said, ``Nothing is 
certain but death and taxes.'' While death and taxes may be certain, 
the death of this tax cut does not have to be.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to act now to ensure that President 
Bush's tax relief is made permanent.

                          ____________________