Taxes are too high. Congress must reign in wasteful government spending and provide much deserved tax relief to the American public. I support fundamental tax reform that will provide a fairer and simpler system and that will keep taxes at a reasonable rate. I am a strong supporter of the tax relief packages of 2001 and 2003 and voted to prevent many of these vital cuts from expiring in 2006. I will continue to work to ensure these tax cuts are made permanent in the future.
I will also work to ensure the “Death Tax” remains dead once and for all. This unfair tax hits American families when they least deserve it – right after the passing of a loved one. Unfortunately, many families have been forced to sell their land or close the family business (including the family farm) just to pay the Death Tax. The Death Tax can seize up to half of a dead person’s assets. The Republican Congress acted in 2001 to phase out the Death Tax with a complete repeal in 2010. However, if Congress does nothing, the Death Tax will be reinstated in 2011. I have voted many times to permanently repeal the Death Tax and will continue to push for legislation to ensure it is abolished.
Congress must also work to reign in government spending. In December 2007, the President signed into law the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which funds the federal government through September 2008. The bill holds government spending at the President’s fiscal year 2008 requested level and provides support for our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While I am pleased that the Democratic leadership agreed to eliminate about $22 billion in new spending from the bill, still more needs to be done to return fiscal sanity to the federal budget. The growth of key entitlement programs poses our government’s greatest budget challenge. I strongly believe we must restrain government spending and keep taxes low to boost economic growth and will continue to fight proposals in Congress to raise taxes to pay for more government programs.
It is clear to me that the annual budget process is broken. The Omnibus Appropriations bill rolled together 11 regular appropriations bills – which should have been completed by October - into one mammoth package. Members were given less than 20 hours to review the 3,565 page bill, which stood over a foot tall. The public deserves more from its elected leaders. Government funding in key areas – from public health and safety to infrastructure and homeland security – is vital to all Americans and we should be doing more to ensure that successful programs are adequately funded, while working together to eliminate government waste.
I am hopeful that Congress can come together in a bi-partisan manner to complete the annual spending bills on time this year and help restore fiscal responsibility to the budget process. As the 110th Congress proceeds, I will continue to support spending reforms and will work to reduce burdensome taxes that stifle job and economic growth.
I am always eager to hear from my constituents. If you would like to speak with my staff about tax or budget legislation, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2031.
