WALLY HERGER: “I would like to begin by respectfully pointing out that the gentleman from Michigan voted just last week on the floor of…”

“I would like to begin by respectfully pointing out that the gentleman from Michigan voted just last week on the floor of the House to spend part of that surplus on agricultural disaster relief. If it is okay to spend part of the surplus, why is the gentleman proposing to punish farmers and ranchers by denying them tax relief now? Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Republican plan to save Social Security and reduce our Nation's record high tax burden. We are also dedicated to fulfilling our commitment to our Nation's seniors as our plan sets aside the vast majority, some 90 percent of our entire expected surplus until we agree on a plan to save Social Security. At the same time, we believe it is entirely appropriate to return at least a small portion, some 10 percent of this projected surplus, to those who created it in the first place, hard-working American taxpayers. According to the Congressional Budget Office, taxes are now higher than they have been at any other time in America's peacetime history.”