On the recordSeptember 23, 2004
I came to Congress to lower taxes because it benefits the Americans who pay taxes, and this bill goes a significant distance towards reinforcing that message. But even if you are still inclined to vote against this bill, let me remind you that the tax rates we are setting as we deliberate on this legislation are minimums. In other words, it is a minimum rate. Now, if you are uncomfortable with paying that minimum rate, I would encourage you to take your hard-earned cash and make a charitable contribution to the point where you are comfortable with your tax rate. And then you can turn around to your constituents as a role model and say, look what I did. You have the opportunity, through the charitable provisions in the Tax Code, to pay as much as you wish to the United States Federal Government. We are trying to minimize it. That is what this debate is about.
Source
govinfo.gov
